If you're considering owning a hamster, these cute little animals provide enjoyable and interesting companionship. Of the 24 species of hamsters, five were the most often kept as pets. While some hamster species are happy living in a community, others make excellent single pets. Some breeds are better suited for handling, while others like to play alone if you're seeking a hamster you can hold and engage with.
1 - Syrian Hamster
The Syrian hamster is the most common type of pet hamster in the US. Other names for this breed are Golden Hamster and Teddy Bear Hamster. Syrian hamsters can be recognised by their golden coat and white or cream belly. Piebald, cream, and cinnamon are further color variants. Compared to certain dwarf hamster species, their fur is thicker and frequently shorter.
The average lifespan of a Syrian hamster is 2.5 to 3 years. They belong to a bigger breed of hamster pets. Syrian hamsters can be quite easy for parents and kids to handle because of their larger size. They are often amiable and will become accustomed to your loved ones with patience and tender handling. Syrian hamsters are best kept alone because they are solitary animals that don't perform well in pairs. Read This: How to Maintain a Syrian Hamster as a Pet
2 - Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
The Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovski), the tiniest of the common hamster varieties, grows to only 2 inches long. These hamsters have a three-year lifespan on average. Since this breed is quite small, an aquarium is the best option.
Featuring a mesh cover to keep these hamsters inside. They may simply slip out of the wire cages between the gaps. The Roborovski belongs to a hamster going quickly. Being an agile breed, it enjoys being active. Make sure you provide this hamster with an abundance of toys and activities.
Although they can be handled, these hamsters prefer to be left alone. They can quickly squirm out of your grasp and disappear due to their small size and agility. If they are introduced correctly, they can be gregarious and thrive in groups with others of the same sex. An excellent option if you'd like to have more than one hamster is the Roborovski dwarf.
3 - Chinese Hamster
Similarly to the Syrian hamster, the Chinese hamster can be identified by its white belly, black and gray coloring, and dark stripe running down its back. A Chinese hamster can live for two to three years on average. This kind of hamster has a longer tail than others; it can grow up to be an inch long. Chinese hamsters should be kept as solitary pets and should not be housed with Syrian hamsters. It does take some time for this breed to become used by new owners, but once they do, handling them is simple.
4 - Winter white dwarf hamster
The Campbell's dwarf Russian hamster and the dwarf winter white Russian (Phodopus sungorus) are comparable. They have an average length of 3.5 to 4.0 inches and a lifespan of roughly 2 years. Compared to the Campbells, they have faces that are rounder and shorter. In the winter, its fur may become white. Compared to many other hamster species, the dwarf winter white Russian is incredibly calm and unpredictable in its biting behavior. Children may find it challenging to manage them because of their quickness and agility.
If you correctly introduce this type of hamster at a young age, you can maintain them in groups or couples with other people of the same sex. Even so, when they become bigger, hamsters raised in the same home may develop territorial tendencies and require separation. Because this small breed can squeeze through conventional wire cage spacing, it would be better kept in an aquarium tank that has a mesh lid.
5 - Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster
The explorer C.W. Campbell, who was among the first to record seeing this kind of hamster in Mongolia in 1902, is honored with the name Campbell's Dwarf Hamster. This breed has characteristics similar to those of the Winter White Dwarf Hamster.
A stripe that extends down their back; however, it is typically shorter and darker by Campbell Dwarf Hamsters compared to the Winter White Dwarf Hamster, they have smaller ears and fewer hairs on their feet. Males of this variety tend to be larger than females, with a maximum length of 2–4 inches. Their life expectancy is usually between 2.5 and 3 years. This hamster can bite or nip until it feels comfortable, and it will also need some time to get to know its new family. If socialized at a young age, Campbell's Russian dwarf hamsters can coexist in pairs of the same gender.
Are hamsters considered the ideal household pets?
People looking for a minimal-maintenance pet should consider hamsters. They are quiet and don't require walking. They also don't cost as much as larger animals like dogs or cats, so they're excellent "starter" pets for children who are learning responsibility.
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