The Campbell's Russian Hamster scientific name is "Phodopus Sungoris Campbelli" also known as "Russian Dwarf Hamsters, Djungarian Hamsters, Hairy Footed Hamsters" and sometimes referred to as "Siberian Hamsters" or "Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters" which is incorrect. Campbell's dwarf hamster typically has a narrow dorsal stripe and grey fur on the stomach. A small round bodied hamster that reaches an adult size of about 4 inches (10 cm).In captivity, they are proportionally larger as commercial pet food and fruits provide more nutrition than food found commonly in the wild. The lips and cheeks have white fur and the rest of the fur around the face can be either grey or brown. It has a 1 and half to 2years of life span. It was given its common name is honour of W.C. Campbell, who collected the first type species in Mongolia on July 1, 1902. Campbell's dwarf hamster inhabits the deserts of Asia, the mountains of Tuva and the Hebei province in northeastern China.
The Campbell's Russian hamster is a friendly dwarf hamster that can be an enjoyable pet and companion.The temperaments of individual Campbell's hamsters vary, but they are usually outgoing and friendly if handled confidently. They tend to be the very active among the dwarf hamsters. They make good pets, but they have a bit of a reputation for nipping if feeling threatened. Because they are small and quick they can be a challenge to handle, especially for kids.
They are curious about their surroundings and always on the move when awake. Although they enjoy a house and other forms of privacy for their hamster cage setup, they also enjoy coming out to explore their environment. Dwarf hamsters are nocturnal but may be active for short times during the day too.
Campbell's hamsters come in several colors; agouti, black, argente. In addition there is also new colors are being developed by selective crossing of the different colour mutations. Examples are dove, lilac, blue, beige etc. They come in the largest variety of coat colors and patterns compared to the other dwarf species.
Although it is tempting to choose a pet based on its color, this should not be your determining factor when picking out a hamster. Temperament and health should be your primary concerns. The animal must be cared for in a humane manner. If you are purchasing them from a pet store, go in the afternoon or early evening when they are most active. Ask your seller about the age, size, gender, and the temperaments of the hamsters. Healthy hamsters have a round shape and are alert and active. Dry fur, clear ears, and erect ears are other indicators of health. Be wary if any hamster has wet fur around its rump -- this indicates a disease called "wet tail," which can be spread to others in a living space.
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