Russian dwarf hamsters are one of the smallest and cutest pets you can have. They are also known as **winter white hamsters** or **Djungarian hamsters**. They are a type of **dwarf hamster** that belongs to the genus Phodopus. They are native to China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia, where they live in grasslands, steppes, and deserts. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Russian dwarf hamsters, including their history, personality, care, and health.
## History of Russian Dwarf Hamsters
Russian dwarf hamsters were first discovered by Peter Simon Pallas in 1773, who described them as a type of mouse¹. They were later classified as a separate species by Ned Hollister in 1912². There are two types of Russian dwarf hamsters: - **Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli)**: This type was named after Charles William Campbell, who collected specimens in Mongolia in 1902³. Campbell's dwarf hamsters have a wide range of colors and patterns, such as agouti, albino, black, argente, opal, and mottled. They do not change their fur color in winter. - **Winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus)**: This type was named after the region of Dzungaria, where they were found⁴. Winter white dwarf hamsters have a dark gray fur with a black stripe on their back and a white belly. They can change their fur color to white in winter to camouflage with the snow. Both types of Russian dwarf hamsters are similar in size and behavior, but they are not closely related and cannot interbreed. They are also different from the Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii), which is another species of dwarf hamster that is smaller and faster than the Russian dwarfs. Russian dwarf hamsters became popular as pets and research animals in Europe and America in the 20th century. They are easy to breed and have a short gestation period of 18 to 21 days. They can produce litters of up to 10 pups several times a year.
## Personality of Russian Dwarf Hamsters
Russian dwarf hamsters are friendly and curious animals that can bond well with their owners if handled gently and regularly from a young age. They are also very active and playful, and love to explore their surroundings. They have cheek pouches that they use to store food and carry it to their nests. Russian dwarf hamsters are **social** animals that can live in pairs or small groups of the same sex or breed. However, they can also be territorial and aggressive if they are not introduced properly or if their cage is too small or overcrowded. Therefore, you should always monitor your hamsters for signs of fighting or stress, and separate them if necessary.
## Care of Russian Dwarf Hamsters
Russian dwarf hamsters are easy to care for as long as you provide them with a suitable cage, bedding, food, water, toys, and accessories. Here are some tips on how to take care of your Russian dwarf hamster:
- Choose a large and secure cage that has enough space for your hamster to run around and play. The minimum cage size for a dwarf hamster is 18 x 10 x 10 inches (45 x 25 x 25 cm), but bigger is better. You can use a wire cage, a glass tank, or a plastic bin as long as it has good ventilation and no sharp edges or gaps.
- Line the cage with a thick layer of soft bedding material that your hamster can burrow and nest in. You can use paper-based bedding, aspen shavings, or hay. Avoid cedar or pine shavings, as they can cause respiratory problems for your hamster.
- Provide your hamster with a hideout where it can sleep and feel safe. You can use a wooden house, a cardboard box, a ceramic bowl, or a coconut shell. Make sure the hideout has an entrance that is large enough for your hamster to fit through.
- Give your hamster a good quality hamster food mix that contains seeds, grains, nuts,
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Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/14/2023
(1) Winter white dwarf hamster - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_white_dwarf_hamster.
(2) Russian Dwarf Hamster Facts & Most Common Questions…Answered. https://russiandwarfhamster.org/russiandwarfhamsterfacts/.
(3) How to Care for a Russian Dwarf Hamster - wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Russian-Dwarf-Hamster.
(4) How to Care for a Pet Winter White Dwarf Hamster - The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/dwarf-winter-white-russian-hamsters-1238954.