| Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster (Phodopus sungorus) |
| The Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster in Brief Country of Origin: Eastern Kazakhastan and South West Siberia Lifespan: 1-2 years Size: 8-10 cm (3-4 in) Housing: Sociable: should be housed with others of the same species; introduce before 8 weeks of age; house in glass or plastic cage, avoid barred cages Special Care/Facts: * They are hard to handle and so are not recommended for first-time hamster owners * The fur of these hamsters turns white during the winter, due to the change in the hours of light * It is the least common dwarf hamster found in pet shops |
| The Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster is not often seen in pet shops. They are often referred to as Siberian hamsters or Djungarian hamsters, or simply Winter White hamsters. Its more common name, the Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster, is so named because the hamster's coat turns white during the winter. These hamsters can be differentiated from the Dwarf Campbells Russian hamster because of their blunt or Roman nose and their prominent eyes. They also have a distinctive curved spine. Like the Syrian hamster, they have expandable cheek pouches in which they collect food and bedding material. An adult Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster can grow to 8-10 cm (3-4 in). Like the Dwarf Campbells Russian hamster, males are slightly larger than females and both have furry feet. The Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster has a very good temperament, but because of its small size it is difficult to handle, and therefore is not an ideal first hamster. Several Dwarf Winter White Russian hamsters should be housed together in a fairly large plastic cage or aquarium. |
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