A dwarf hamster is a group of several subspecies, specifically dealing with hamsters that are smaller than four inches long. They often have a lifespan of two to three years, though some live less than this. They are incredibly smart, and some subspecies hibernate through the winter months underground. If you want to take a little extra time with this furry pet, you may even learn how to train them to do different tricks.

5 Incredible Dwarf Hamster Facts!

Here are a few fun hamster facts.

• Dwarf hamsters, like other types of hamsters, are nocturnal. They tend to play noisily at night with their many toys in their cage.
• When the dwarf hamster is stressed, he’ll squeal, squeak, or even scream instead of crying. They’ll also make these noises if they are hurt or afraid.
• Dwarf hamsters are born naked, blind, and deaf. Their fur doesn’t come in until they are about five days old, followed by their sight (14-18 days old) and finally their hearing (18+ days).
• Even though dwarf hamsters cannot burp, they can pass gas.
• Some dwarf hamsters lick and groom owners as a way to show affection.

Scientific Name

The dwarf hamster’s scientific name is Cricetulus barabensis, and it is part of the Cricetidae family of the Mammalia class. There are a total of seven subspecies, which include the Robo dwarf hamster, Chinese dwarf hamster, grey dwarf hamster, and Campbell’s dwarf hamster (among others). The grey dwarf hamster has much larger ears than other subspecies.

The name “barabensis” comes from the Greek word “Barabbas,” which comes from Aramaic “barabba,” which means “son of the father.”

Appearance

The dwarf hamster is named for its incredibly small size, though their overall appearance changes from one species to the next. They typically only grow to be two to four inches long, but the smallest of them all is the Roborovski dwarf hamster (or the robo dwarf hamster) at just 1.5 to two inches long. The largest subspecies is the Chinese dwarf hamster at four inches long, though he is technically not considered a true dwarf because he can grow larger.

The winter white dwarf hamsters go from gray and white to brown and white, based entirely on the season. It allows them to hide from potential predators. Campbell’s dwarf hamsters have incredibly small ears and are covered in grayish brown hair. Grey dwarf hamsters look more like mice than hamsters, and they can be gray, grayish brown, or sandy gray. Chinese dwarf hamsters have white bellies with a dark stripe against gray-brown fur on their back. The Roborovski dwarf hamster is fairly similar, though it looks like it has eyebrows with the white spots above their eyes.

Behavior

Other than times of mating, dwarf hamsters are rather solitary creatures. They go long and far to find their resources, and they protect it at all costs from other rodents in the area. They are quite shy unless they are regularly exposed to human contact.

Habitat

Dwarf hamsters can be purchased as pets throughout the United States, but they exist naturally in the wild in Greece, Romania, Belgium, and northern regions in China. While they prefer to be in areas that are 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, they can go a little higher or lower without much issue.

The easiest places for these animals to thrive is in dry environments, like deserts, scrubland, mountains, some forests, and desert edges. Each species of dwarf hamster has different adaptions to thrive in their local weather. For instance, the winter white dwarf hamster’s fur changes color during colder months to conceal themselves from predators in the snow.

When temperatures get colder, Roborovski dwarf hamsters often stay in their underground habitat as part of hibernation. They stockpile food in warmer months to prepare for this hibernation period. Russian dwarf hamsters and other types of dwarf hamsters are more accustomed to cold weather, so hibernation is unnecessary.

Diet

The typical diet of a dwarf hamster will largely consist of grains and pellets, which can be easily found in pet stores and grocery stores. It is safe to give them other nutrients like vegetables, fruits, grass hay, and grains, but the food offered in these pet stores is often all they need to be healthy.

Predators and Threats

Though the diet of a pet dwarf hamster primarily consists of pellets, seeds, and a few assorted vegetables, these animals may seek out insects in the wild. The eating habits are greatly varied because these hamsters have to be territorial to survive. However, avoid exposing your hamster to chocolate or caffeine as these substances are highly toxic.

To attack prey, the dwarf hamster simply grabs what they find in their environment. They don’t need much protein, so they are just as satisfied with their plant-based diet.

What Eats Dwarf Hamsters?

Due to their small size, the dwarf hamster’s natural predators include kestrels, falcons, foxes, owls, and eagles.

What Do Dwarf Hamsters Eat?

Though the dwarf hamster primarily relies on seeds and plant life, there are some occasions that present them with an opportunity for a little more sustenance. Crickets and mealworms are common parts of the wild dwarf hamster’s diet, but they only have these insects as treats.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

In order for dwarf hamsters to mate, the female must be in heat, which means that she’s in her estrus cycle. All these hamsters need is an opportunity to mate by being placed with a male in her cage. Through the pregnancy, it is fairly safe to keep the mating pair together. Her pregnancy often results in about six babies. Through her life, it is safe for her to have babies with more than one male, though the pair might need to be separated after the live birth. In total, her pregnancy lasts between three and four weeks.

The babies of dwarf hamsters — which are called pups — must stay with their mother until they are weaned at three weeks. Their eyes won’t open until they are about two weeks old, and they are color blind from birth. By their 18th day of life, you’ll be able to see their little ears pop up (as they’ve previously laid flat on the head). They are deaf and hairless when they are first born, though their fur will start to come in when they are about five years old.

However, unlike other species who might eat their young, the pups can stay with the mother for a little longer. Since the pups reach sexual maturity as early as four weeks old, they will need to be placed in separate cages by sex.

The average lifespan of dwarf hamsters is two to three years, though it will vary by species. The winter white dwarf hamster, for example, only lives about a year in the wild or as a pet, while the Campbell’s dwarf hamster only lives two years at the most. The most common health issues that these rodents face include skin diseases (mites or ringworm), hair loss, digestive issues, diabetes, teeth issues, and respiratory infections. With the right care, they should be able to live to their projected old age. Proper identification of your hamster will give greater insight into their potential life span and health issues.

Population

Due to the frequent sale of dwarf hamsters as pets, experts believe that the total population is at least 57 million. Of that 57 million hamsters, approximately 11 million are kept as pets. The IUCN considers the dwarf hamsters to generally be of least concern.

View all 62 animals that start with D