78 replies to this topic

[SparkleHammy]

Great topic! The information was helpful!

[rainbowhamster16]

Brilliant thread! I love all the photo's of the hammy's! 

 rainbowhamster16 and Strudel  .

[Hammy<3]

This is so cool! /helpful. Thanks taxonomist!

[RedResilience]

This is an excellent guide! I'm kind of confused though... Russian Dwarves and Campbell's Dwarves are the same? And are sometimes simply referred to as just dwarf hamster? Also, both the Campbell's and the Winter White Dwarves have Djungarian or DJ for a nickname... That confuses me. >< I'm very curious because I recently rescued a Russian Dwarf and was like, "I want to make sure he isn't a Campbell's or a Winter White or a hybrid." If they're the same thing though then I guess that's my answer. XD I work at PetSmart and we commonly have the hamsters categorized as Chinese Dwarf, Robo Dwarf, Winter White, Russian Dwarf (sometimes fancy), and of course Syrian (sometimes long haired, short haired, or "fancy bear"). But when I sometimes look at the hamsters at Petco I only see Syrians, Robos, Djungarians, Sunfire hamsters (which is a variation of the DJ hamster?), Campbell's, and just plain old dwarf hamsters. It is very confusing hahahaha. >< Sorry if this post is confusing as well. ^^' Thank you!

Edited by RedResilience, 27 February 2014 - 02:06 PM.

[Emma&Chester]

This is an excellent guide! I'm kind of confused though... Russian Dwarves and Campbell's Dwarves are the same? And are sometimes simply referred to as just dwarf hamster? Also, both the Campbell's and the Winter White Dwarves have Djungarian or DJ for a nickname... That confuses me. >< I'm very curious because I recently rescued a Russian Dwarf and was like, "I want to make sure he isn't a Campbell's or a Winter White or a hybrid." If they're the same thing though then I guess that's my answer. XD I work at PetSmart and we commonly have the hamsters categorized as Chinese Dwarf, Robo Dwarf, Winter White, Russian Dwarf (sometimes fancy), and of course Syrian (sometimes long haired, short haired, or "fancy bear"). But when I sometimes look at the hamsters at Petco I only see Syrians, Robos, Djungarians, Sunfire hamsters (which is a variation of the DJ hamster?), Campbell's, and just plain old dwarf hamsters. It is very confusing hahahaha. >< Sorry if this post is confusing as well. ^^' Thank you!

Technically all species of dwarf (Robos, winter whites , and Campbell's) are Russian dwarves as, well they all originate from Russia - so they can all be called "Russian dwarves". You'll most likely never come across a pure winter white in a pet store, nor will you find a pure Russian Campbell - you'll usually just fine either Robos, or hybrids (a cross between a Winter white & Campbell).

May I ask what is a "plain old dwarf hamster"?

Anyway here's how you tell the three apart: Robos are pretty easy to spot, their the smallest of the species. Winter whites only come in shades of dark greys, black, and dark browns and such. Anyway, as I said, all dwarves in pet stores are hybrids with the acception of Robos.

^did that make any sense?..

[RedResilience]

Ohhhh okay that makes a lot of sense! Haha I think the plain old dwarf hamster was probably just an unlabeled Campbell's. XD Petco is silly.

 

So Winter Whites never come in white? It must be a myth that they change color during the winter... ><Sorry I know I'm being a pain.

 

The reason I was wondering about everything is because I just adopted a dwarf from someone who was going to just release him outside... They thought he was a Syrian so I was surprised to see a little dwarf running around! He is definitely a Campbell's/WW hybrid though, now that you've clarified. He's a standard dark color with the darker stripe down his back.

[vick1987]

actually made me question if i was sold a different breed. great info though

[Emma&Chester]

actually made me question if i was sold a different breed. great info though

It is possible for winter whites to change colour in winter, but it's not very common and usually only happens if the hamster is in a cold environment

[RedResilience]

It is possible for winter whites to change colour in winter, but it's not very common and usually only happens if the hamster is in a cold environment

 

Ahh ok. To blend in with the snow maybe. XD

[MochaTheSyrian]

Hello, I currently have 1 syrian hamster named mocha, I am thinking of getting another hamster and I really like the Roborovski dwarf! I was wondering about their personality and if they're super hyper? Because I've been told that smaller hamsters are more hyper and fidgety then the larger breeds. (I know not too keep them together.)

[HammySenpai]

Hello, I currently have 1 syrian hamster named mocha, I am thinking of getting another hamster and I really like the Roborovski dwarf! I was wondering about their personality and if they're super hyper? Because I've been told that smaller hamsters are more hyper and fidgety then the larger breeds. (I know not too keep them together.)

Robo can be housed in groups but double each a things like wheel etc.

[jland1968]

what does a blueberry hamster fall under?

[H&A]

what does a blueberry hamster fall under?

I might be mistaken but I don't think that's a real species of hamster or coloring.. Most petstores  give usually them fake names so they sound "rare" or they can mark up the prices. I think Blue is a coloring.. Some of the other members might have some more information on that

[OakleyAmong]

Nice..and very professional looking

[HamsterArtist]

Awesome! Great pics too