Hamster Breeds
Popular Hamster Breeds
There are many different hamster breeds and, as anyone who has looked at hamster can tell you, they vary in coat, colors and size. For many people, hamsters are a great first pet. They help children learn the responsibility that comes with pet ownership. These tiny creatures really do make great pets, not just for children, but for many adults as well.
Below is a bit of information about some of the most popular hamster breeds.
Syrian
Syrian hamsters are more often labeled Teddy Bear hamsters when being sold in pet stores. That name really does fit them well. They’re the most common type of hamster most people keep as pets. One reason for that is the fact that they are pretty easy to handle. Even children will usually be able to interact with Syrian hamsters. It is important to note that these hamsters need to be kept alone. If they are kept in a cage with another hamster, it is not uncommon for them to fight until the death.
They grow to a length of between four and seven inches and usually live around two years.
Dwarf Campbell Russian
Dwarf Campbell Russian hamsters may not be the best bet for children as they tend to get a bit skittish when being handled. While their bite is fairly harmless, they will nip when they feel afraid. That does not mean that this hamster should not be a pet, but they must be handled with care, especially until they get to know you.
This is a good choice if you would like to keep more than one hamster in the cage. It is fine to keep same sex pairs in one cage as long as the pair is introduced when young.
This is a small hamster that only grows to about four inches and lives about two years.
Roborovski Dwarf
The Roborovski Dwarf is among the longest living of hamster breeds. Unlike most breeds that live only two years, this breed is known to commonly live up to three and half years. They are also among the smallest hamsters, reaching a maximum length of only about two inches.
While they are friendly and are not prone to nipping, handling them can be a bit tricky. The reason for that is the fact that they are so tiny and they are also very agile. This makes losing your pet Roborovski hamster very easy. Only handle them in a place where you will be able to find and retrieve them should they slip from your grasp.
Chinese
Chinese are among the hamster breeds that do best when kept solitary in cages. They tend to be aggressive towards other hamsters housed with them. They are not, however, usually aggressive towards people and they bite only rarely.
They grow to about four inches and live about two years.
Many hamster breeds make wonderful pets for both children and adults. It is important to learn all about their proper care including feeding, grooming and cage care, before bringing one home. While the hamsters themselves may not require much work, it does take a bit of time to keep the cage clean.
You will probably find that little investment of time to be worth it when you see how much fun these little creatures can be.