Hamsters are incredibly cute, curious, and compact critters who make wonderful pets. But which hamster breeds make the best pets? Trick question! Each different type of hamster belongs to its own species, rather than a breed of the same species.
That’s right—there are over 20 species of hamsters, all belonging to the Cricetinae subfamily, which also includes lemmings and muskrats. However, only five hamster species are kept as pets in the United States:
- Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
- Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)
- Winter white Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus)
- Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli)
- Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii)
If you’re thinking about bringing home a hamster, it’s important to first consider the different species and their unique characteristics, personality, and needs. That way, you can make an informed decision about the best possible fit for you based on what you’re looking for in a pet and make sure you’re prepared to properly care for your new hamster.
We spoke with experts about the five pet hamster species to help you determine which hammy might be the perfect match for you.
1Syrian (Golden) Hamster
The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster or teddy bear hamster, is the most common pet hamster species, says Susan Tyson, VMD, MS, veterinarian and owner at Avian & Exotic Philly Vet Medical Surgical Clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Syrian hamsters can appear in a variety of colors and with either short or long hair. Dr. Tyson notes that they can range in size from 4–7 inches long and weigh 120 grams (a little over 4 ounces), making them the biggest hamster on this list.
A Syrian hamster has a short, stubby tail, short fur on their head, larger ears, and an elongated face when compared to the dwarf species. These hamsters are more active at night and should be housed alone in a single enclosure.
“This is the quintessential pet hamster for good reason,” says Tony Rose Adler, co-president of the California Hamster Association and founder of Snow White’s Rescue Cottage in Camarillo, California. “They are generally friendly, docile, and easily tamed.”
She explains that male Syrian hamsters, as with all other species of hamsters, tend to be slower and friendlier, making them a better choice for children’s pets than females. In comparison, female Syrian hamsters are “notoriously restless” and make great use of a large cage.
For female Syrians in particular, Adler recommends the largest cage possible, ideally a 40-gallon tank or larger. She also recommends these enrichment ideas:
- Scattering seed mix over their bedding, creating a foraging experience
- Offering a whole toilet paper roll for them to roll, shred, and nest with
- Providing boredom breakers like chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, and tumble and toss toys
2Chinese Hamster
The first thing most people notice about the Chinese hamster is their unique color pattern. Their cheeks, chest, and abdomen are white, and they have a black line of fur reaching from their forehead to the base of their extremely long tail along their spine, Dr. Tyson explains. They also have smaller ears and a pointy face compared to other types of hamsters.
Chinese hamsters are about 4 inches in length and weigh 30–35 grams (roughly 1 ounce), with females being smaller than males. They can live to be up to 3 years old and must be kept solitary.
Julianna Rock, president of the Ontario Hamster Club and breeder and exhibitor of Syrian hamsters at Strong Brew Hamstery in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, describes Chinese hamsters as shy and gentle.
“They are super fast and often freeze when humans are nearby. They love to burrow and hide and are very agile climbers, unlike the other species, due to their semi-prehensile tail,” she says. “Earning their trust may take time, but is so worth it!”
3Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster
Winter white dwarf hamsters are also called Russian dwarf hamsters, Djungarian hamsters, and Siberian hamsters. What’s especially fascinating about the winter white is that they have a distinctive winter molt. This results in an all-white coat that allows them to blend in with their snowy environment in the wild, Dr. Tyson says.
Typically, winter whites have a lighter-colored coat and can have some black and gray coloring. They may also have a long, dark line of fur down their spine in the summertime, Dr. Tyson says. Winter whites have a thick coat, furry feet, and when compared to other hamsters, a rounder, flatter face, and small ears. Dwarf hamsters have an average body weight of about 40 grams (1.5 ounces).
“Winter whites are generally the more friendly and docile dwarf hamster,” Adler says. “They are similar to Syrian hamsters in terms of temperament.” She adds that they’re easily handled and enjoy spending time with their humans with time and taming.
Like other hamster species, males are calmer, while females are more curious. Adler says that the sex-based personality split is far less noticeable in winter whites than in other species. These hamsters are more active at dawn and dusk.
4Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster
Campbell’s dwarf hamsters are small, rounder-bodied hamsters who come in a variety of different colorings and grow up to 4 inches long, Dr. Tyson says. These hamsters have a thin stripe along their spine, some fur on their feet, and in comparison with other species, a thin face and upright ears, she adds. Campbell’s dwarf hamsters are also more active at dawn and dusk.
Adler considers Campbell’s to be fairly friendly and tamable, much like winter whites. However, they do tend to exhibit territorial behavior, which has earned them a reputation for being nippy, she says. The reason for this is that they perceive our hand as a natural predator and instinctively protect their space.
To build trust with your Campbell’s dwarf hamster, Adler recommends using a “scoop and slide” method for taming. To do so, use a mug, bowl, or similar object to scoop your hamster out of their cage. (The more this is done and as time goes on, they’ll train themselves to go into the item for handling.) Once your hamster is in the designated object, slide them out into your hand.
“Most of the time, this solves all outward aggression and enables you to interact much more enjoyably with your pet,” Adler says.
5Roborovski Dwarf Hamster
Meet the smallest species of the bunch: the Roborovski dwarf hamster! Roborovski dwarf hamsters, or “Robos” for short, have light brown to sandy coloring with a white abdomen, legs, and spots above their eyes. Dr. Tyson describes them as being “tiny, hardy, and speedy,” growing to be just under a whopping 2 inches! Compared to other kinds of hamsters, they’re typically very quiet.
“Roborovskis are extremely cute but extremely fast,” Adler says. “They are generally not aggressive but are also not very handleable.”
Given their speed and somewhat skittish temperament, Adler notes that they won’t stay in your hand for long. While some diligent pet parents may be able to tame their Robo to accept some handling, this is considered a rarity, she adds.
Even though they may not be the cuddliest species of the bunch, Adler says they’re entertaining to watch as they make fun use of their cage and are a great option for families looking for a pet experience similar to having an aquarium.
FAQs About Hamster Species
Q:Which species of hamster is the friendliest?
A:The friendliest species of hamster is the winter white. While the consensus often leans toward Syrian hamsters for being very docile and tameable, Adler says these two species have similar personalities. However, a winter white’s nibble hurts far less!
Q:What is the best hamster to have as a pet?
A:Syrian hamsters are a great species for first-time hamster parents, as they’re larger, slower, good for kids, and tend to have a friendly, outgoing personality, Dr. Tyson says. For more experienced hamster parents, she recommends winter whites and Campbell’s dwarf hamsters.
Q:What is the prettiest hamster?
A:Adler believes most people would agree that long-haired male Syrian hamsters, regardless of color, are the prettiest hamsters. In her opinion, black tortoiseshell Syrian hamsters are the prettiest.
Q:What is the largest hamster species?
A:“Of the domesticated species, Syrian hamsters are the largest,” Adler says. “European hamsters are wild species that look similar, but are the size of a guinea pig. Some breeders and keepers are working on domesticating them now, so they may be pets soon!”
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