Russian Dwarf Hamster
_______________________________________________________________The Russian dwarf hamster can reach an adult size about 10-12cm long and the size of male is larger than the female. Russian dwarf hamster can be found in two common colors such as white and gray. Russian dwarf hamster is able to live from 1 until 2 years and may live longer. For living, Russian dwarf hamster commonly digs burrows which are three feet underground. It is not that hard to keep Russian dwarf hamster as a pet but if you interest to keep Russian dwarf as a pet, you should pay more attention of making a proper cage for your lovely Russian dwarf hamster.
There are two common species of Russian dwarf hamster which are Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster or Phodopus campbelli which was discovered in 1902 in Tuva and winter white Russian dwarf hamster or Phodopus sungorus which was discovered in the early 1970s. Winter white Russian dwarf hamster is also known as Djungarian hamster, Sapphire winter white Russian dwarf hamster and Siberian hamster. Winter white Russian dwarf hamster is commonly found in Mongolia, Manchuria, Kazakhstan, and Dzungaria.
Campbell’s hamster that belongs to Russian dwarf hamster has one until four coat types which are normal, wavy, rex and satin. The normal coat tends to be flat and short but wavy coat tends to be longer and wavy. Then the rex coat tends to be a soft coat with curly whiskers. Satin coat will give shinny and wet look. Winter white Russian dwarf hamster has a firm body with furry feet, short hair and thick dark grey stripe on the back. Winter white Russian dwarf hamster also has very short tail and usually it is hard to see the tail while they are sitting. The features of winter white Russian dwarf hamster include prominent eyes, expansive cheek pouches and a Roman nose. A mutation is appeared around 1988 in winter white Russian dwarf hamster and it is shown that it has a pure and bright white top coat, black hairs, black eyes and grey ears and it is referred as winter white pearl. Then still at the same time, Sapphire winter white Russian dwarf hamster also appeared with smokey grey top coat, a slight blue tinge, black eyes, and soft grey ears and then later Sapphire Pearl is also discovered as the result of crossing the Pearl to Sapphire. What is the reason that made Djungarian hamster earned the title of winter white? It is because of the unique adaption to change colors which is from dark grey to white as their camouflage in the wild during winter. The adaption of changing fur color in winter tends to be very beneficial because it helps them avoid natural predators such as various foxes, owls, weasels and falcons.
Russian dwarf hamster is nocturnal but it also tends to be active only for short times during the day but Campbell’s dwarf hamster is crepuscular therefore the most active time is at dusk or dawn. Both of them can be a good pet. You can easily find Campbell’s dwarf hamster in pet stores but winter white hamster is not easily found in pet stores therefore if you interest to keep it you need to directly purchase it through the breeders. You need to use wood shavings but avoid of using cedar shavings and fine sawdust as the bedding of the winter white hamster. Since Russian dwarf hamster likes to tunnel, climb, and burrow therefore you can put toys such as hamster wheels and small toil paper tubes.
