Hamster Care: The 411
Syrian Hamster
Scientific name: Mesocricetus auratus
Also known as: Teddy bear hamster, golden hamster
Size: Six inches long
Color: Usually golden, but they can also have patches and bands and blotches of white, yellow, orange or gray.
Lifespan: Two to three years
The most common pet hamster is the Syrian hamster. If you have one of these hammies, you should know that he's a descendant of the first hamsters captured from the wild in 1930. Syrians are sometimes called golden hamsters, because of their honey-colored fur, which can be long or short, silky or fluffy. Syrian hamsters must live alone and need some turf to call their own. If you put two in one cage, very soon they will begin to chatter their teeth at each other and start to fight. Battles can be fierce!
Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster
Scientific name: Phodopus campbelli
Size: Three inches long
Color: Gray
Lifespan: One to two years
This little guy is the most common dwarf hamster available in pet stores. Dwarf hamsters look pleasantly plump and like to live in pairs—but you must introduce them when they're young. As a general rule, don't put a new hammy in with a group who've been living together, or with an adult hamster who's used to living alone.
Another dwarf species is the Winter White Russian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), also known as the Siberian hamster. He's gray, but sometimes turns completely snowy white during the winter. Roborovsky's hamster (Phodopus roborovski) is the smallest dwarf hamster kept as a pet. This little guy is about two inches long but can live three to four years. Even smaller is the Chinese hamster, who's only about the size of a mouse.
LEARN MORE
- The 411
- Chow Time!
- Home Sweet Home
- Fun & Games
Parents and teachers, visit ASPCA.org for more hamster care info to share with your kids.
