5 Types of Hamsters, Because More Than One Exists
These adorable species are most commonly kept as pets.
There's a reason that hamsters are one of the most desired pets among kids: they're small, energetic, and easier to clean up after than a cat or a dog. But if you're considering getting a pet hamster for yourself or your family, you should make sure you're well prepared, and also decide what will be the best type of hamster for you.
Contrary to what most people think, hamsters are not "starter pets." In reality, no pet is really a "starter pet," even if it might be easier to take care of than a dog or a cat. Hamsters in particular have a lot of energy and they can be easily startled, making them more likely to nip than most guinea pigs or rabbits. Their need for constant entertainment and regular exercise combined with their small size means they can be harder for kids (and some adults) to handle.
Some hamsters also require special cages or enclosures because they're small enough to get through the bars of an average cage. It's also worth noting that hamsters are nocturnal, which means they're relatively inactive during the day and need play at night.
But if you're ready to spend time with one of these little balls of energy, it might be time to check out the different species of hamsters, and then find places to adopt or rescue a hamster near you. Though they're all generally energetic, some species of hamsters have slightly different temperaments, sizes, and colors. There are two dozen hamster species, but only these five are commonly kept as pets.
Syrian
The Syrian hamster (also known as the golden, teddy bear, or fancy hamster) is one of the most common types of pet hamsters, according to The Spruce Pets. Their average length when full grown is 5 to 6 inches, making them one of the largest hamsters as well. They're usually a golden brown color and have dark markings on their cheeks. And, according to PetMD, they are solitary pets, so they don't like sharing their cage with anyone else.
With proper handling and interaction, they're known for being friendly, but they need regular entertainment, otherwise they can be hyperactive and mischievous.
Roborovski Dwarf
Roborovski hamsters formerly lived in the deserts of central Asia, where they ran — a lot, according to My Perky Pet. They're the smallest type of hamster, with an average length of 2 inches, and their fur is usually a sandy color, though breeding created a white variety of colors.
Due to their wild history, Roborovskis are known for being jumpy and fast, according to PetMD, so anyone interested in them as a potential pet should have some experience with other small animals. Though they're harder to handle and hold, their active nature makes them incredibly entertaining to watch.
Chinese
The Chinese hamster also comes from a desert environment in northern China and Mongolia, according to Animal Corner. They have pretty friendly temperaments, and they're well-known for one of their more adorable traits: they hold onto a finger with all four paws as if they're climbing it.
They don't grow to be very big, about 2.5 to 3.5 inches, though they're not technically dwarf hamsters, according to The Spruce Pets. They also unfortunately don't live very long, with an average lifespan of two to three years.
What they lack in size they make up for in energy. That, combined with their small size, means they're not good pets for children because they can be tougher to handle. They also need relatively big cages (or aquariums, because they can slip through the bars of some cages) to expend their nearly-endless energy.
Campbell's Russian Dwarf
The Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster is one of the two species of Russian dwarf hamsters, and one of the most common hamsters found in pet stores. They're named after Charles William Campbell, who first caught and named one in 1904 in Mongolia, according to The Spruce Pets.
As their name implies, they stay pretty small, with an average length of 3.5 to 4 inches long. They have an average life expectancy of two years.
They require a bit more socialization to make good pets, though they will sometimes nip if they feel threatened, and they might be a little too small and jumpy for kids to handle.
Russian Winter White Dwarf
The Winter White dwarf is the second of the two Russian dwarf hamster species. Their name comes from the fact that their fur, which is usually dark gray, turns white in the winter. The color change is part of a defense mechanism they developed in the wild to protect them from predators who would otherwise be able to easily spot them on the winter snow. They make lovable and very active pets.
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