Are you considering keeping a hamster? These tiny rodents do have many endearing qualities, ranging from their hygiene habits to their friendly nature.
But choosing the best hamster breed for your home can be a daunting task. In this article, I will discuss five different breeds of hamsters that you can consider adopting as pets.
By considering the size, lifespan, and temperament of each breed, you can decide which one is the best fit for your home.
1. Syrian Hamster
Size: 15 centimeters
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Temperament: Friendly to humans but territorial towards other hamsters
As the most common breed of pet hamster, the Syrian hamster is the largest and has the longest lifespan. They are known as "golden hamsters" or "teddy bear hamsters" and are famous for their friendly behavior and ease of training.
If you decide to keep several hamsters at home, it is usually necessary to give each hamster its own separate space. Although this breed is very friendly to humans, it can easily become territorial with other hamsters.
2. Roborovski's Hamster
Size: Approximately 5 centimeters
Lifespan: 3-4 years
Temperament: Energetic but shy
These miniature pets are also known as Russian dwarf hamsters and are native to the desert regions of northern China and Mongolia.
They are named after Lieutenant Vsevolod Roborovsky, who popularized the breed in 1894.
The small size of this hamster makes it a popular choice for people with limited pet space in their homes. Although they can be shy and nervous at first, their natural energy will eventually encourage them to open up and play with their owners.
3. Campbell's Hamster
Size: 9-10 centimeters
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Temperament: Nervous and aggressive
Another Russian dwarf hamster, named after biologist Charles William Campbell, who collected the first specimen in 1902. Their shorter lifespan is mainly due to their tendency to develop diabetes.
Their native country is northern Russia, China, and Central Asia. This breed is less popular as a pet because it is easily startled and tends to bite when frightened.
4. Winter White Hamster
Size: 7-8 centimeters
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Temperament: Nervous but gentle and affectionate
These snow-white rodents are the last of the three breeds of Russian dwarf hamsters and are native to southwestern Siberia and eastern Kazakhstan.
They have a sweet and calm personality and crave companionship, but they can also be timid when entering a new environment. Given enough time, they will become kind and affectionate pets.
5. Chinese Hamster
Size: Approximately 10 centimeters with an elongated tail
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Temperament: Friendly and inquisitive
The Chinese hamster is the least popular dwarf hamster as a pet and actually belongs to a different genus than the other dwarf hamsters.
The most obvious visual difference is that the Chinese hamster has a much longer tail than any other hamster breed.
He has a friendly personality and is less likely to bite, but he needs a lot of exercise and stimulation.
The Chinese hamster is intermediate in size between the Syrian hamster and the dwarf hamsters, but it belongs to a different genus than the other breeds mentioned in this guide and is easily recognizable due to its long tail.
Summary
Did you know that all of these different breeds of hamsters can be kept as pets? While individual hamsters can certainly have their own unique personalities, choosing a breed with a temperament that matches your lifestyle is the first step in choosing a hamster.
Hope you find the hamster breed that is the best fit for your home!