Syrian / Golden Hamster

The size of a Syrian Hamster is from 12-16cm. The average lifespan of a Syrian Hamster is approximately 2 years. 'Teddy Bear Hamster' is a term used to describe the Long-Haired variety of the Syrian Hamster, named so for their remarkable resemblance to toy teddy bears. The term 'Golden Hamster', refers to any Syrian Hamster with a brownish/goldish coating like the picture on the right. Syrian Hamsters are solitary animals and should live alone i.e. one per cage. Syrian Hamsters can have red or black eyes. The Syrian Hamster's scientific name is Mesocricetus auratus. Click here to read more.

Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster

These hamsters can live in groups if brought together from a young age (preferably housed with the same sex to avoid breeding). The Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster is smaller than the Syrian Hamster. Its coat is brownish. Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamsters are around 8-11cm long. All Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters have a dorsal stripe, unless they're albino. The Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster's scientific name is 'Phodopus campbelli'. Click here to read more.

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters also love to live in groups if brought together from a young age. Their coat differs during weather change. In winter, the hamster's coat is white and in summer it is grayish. They have a dorsal strip on their back. Dwarf Russian Hamsters are around 7-10cm long. The Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster's scientific name is 'Phodopus sungorus'. Click here to read more.

Roborovski Hamster

Roborovski Hamsters are also of the dwarf type and are the smallest from all types of hamsters. They are around 4-5.5cm in length. They are rather a type of hamster to be observed than handled as they are extremely lively! Robo Hamsters can live in groups of the same sex if brought together from a young age. The Roborovski Hamster's scientific name is 'Phodopus roborovskii'. Click here to watch several hamster videos including videos of Roborovski Hamsters.

Chinese Hamster

The Chinese Hamster is the most ‘rat like’ type of hamster since this hamster's tail is longer than the other hamsters. Chinese Hamsters can live in pairs if brought together from a young age; but they can become extremely aggressive towards each other, thus housing Chinese Hamsters alone can be the best choice. The Chinese Hamster is approximately 10-12cm long and its scientific name is 'Cricetulus griseus'. Click here to read a hamster article about Chinese Hamsters.