The dwarf hamsters represent a group of small hamsters in the genus Phodopus. Although they do not belong to this genus, the Chinese Hamster is often referred to as a dwarf hamster as well.

Species

• Genus Phodopus - short-tailed dwarf hamsters
  • Phodopus campbelli - Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
  • Phodopus roborovskii - Roborovski's (Desert) Dwarf Hamster
  • Phodopus sungorus - Winter White Russian (Dzhungarian) Dwarf Hamster

• Genus Cricetulus - ratlike hamsters
  • Cricetulus griseus - Chinese hamster. These are not strictly considered dwarfs.

Although more limited in colour than the Syrian Hamster, dwarf hamsters are an alternative to pet owners who enjoy a smaller, more sociable hamster.

The Campbell's Dwarf Hamster and Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster, which is often referred to in Russian as a "Shwi-shwi", usually live between 1.5 and 2.5 years and reach a length of about 8-10cm. The Chinese Hamster is 10-12cm in length and usually lives to 2.5 to 3 years. The Roborovski Hamster is the smallest at only 4-5cm and lives for 3 to 3.5 years.The russian winter white is 8-10cm and so is the campbells they are ofen refere to them as the same. There are some differences between them though.

<gallery> Image:bianor.jpg|"Bull Winter White Shwi-shwi" </gallery>

References

• Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9

External links

• Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Hamsters
• Russian Dwarf Hamsters information from breeder Jean McGuire
• Dwarf Hamsters

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