The Mighty Chinese Dwarf Hamster

Did you know that a Chinese Dwarf Hamster is not really a dwarf hamster? That’s right! A Chinese Dwarf Hamster is actually part of the rat-like family of hamsters. You’ll notice that even though it is smaller than the Syrian hamster, it does tend to look more mouse-like compared with most other hamsters.

As their name suggests, the origins of the Chinese Dwarf Hamsters can be traced to the deserts of northern China and Mongolia. These little critters are rare when it comes to pet hamsters. The reason that Chinese Dwarf hamsters are rare is due to the fact that they can be difficult to breed in captivity and owning them in the United States is restricted in most states.

Appearance

Compared with hamsters, these creatures typically have a longer tail and a mouse-like body. As an adult hamster, it is normal for them to grow to be about 10 to 12 centimeters in length. Normally, Chinese hamsters are grayish brown with a black strip down its spine and a white underside. Even though they have been kept in captivity longer the Syrian hamsters there are really only two other color mutations beyond the normal or wild type. They include the dominate spot and the black eyed white.

Can They Play Together?

Although dwarf hamsters typically play well in pairs, the Chinese hamster is the exception to the rule. Two females introduced at an early age have the possibility of getting along better then a male and a female. Females are the dominant sex in a Chinese hamster community so the male might end up seriously injured or dead. Housing two hamsters together requires twice as much room within the cage. It is important to provide them with more then one level and plenty of places to hide. This way, the more docile hamster has a chance to get away from the more dominant one with more space to roam. Because they can squeeze through bars that are too wide on a wire cage, these type of hamsters are normally kept in plastic or aquarium tanks. It is possible for them to escape completely or to become stuck in the cage bars resulting in a traumatic experience for both the owner and the hamster.

Feeding

The feeding requirements for the Chinese dwarf hamsters are typical to other hamster species. They do well on a diet of seeds and pellets. They also enjoy fruits and vegetables. Owners can also offer wheat bread or Cheerios as a special treat in small amounts. Some owners also feed their Chinese hamsters crickets or mealworms as treats but never too many at one time. And, like other hamster species, Chinese hamsters need to have access to fresh water supply. Water bottles do better in these circumstances because water bowls can get littered with substrate.

Chinese hamsters can be difficult to train even though they can live up to two or even three years. This is because of their aggressive nature and the fact that they can be skittish and extremely agile. They can jump from very high heights, are very fast, and can escape from cages if they are not overly secured. They are also expert climbers. Because of these remarkable traits Chinese hamsters are not always good for children under the age of twelve and sometimes make better pets when they are not handled at all. Beginner hamster owners are not encouraged to get this hamster as a first pet.

If you are thinking about getting a Chinese Dwarf Hamster as a pet, then consider the some of the points outlined in this article before you purchase one. The Ultimate Guide to Dwarf Hamsters has more information about this hamster species. Click here to find out more.