DWARF
RUSSIAN HAMSTER
Phodopus sungoris campbelli
females
Scientific
Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Cricetidae
Genus Phodopus
Species
sungoris campbelli
male
HIStory
The word 'hamster' comes from the
German word 'hamstern' which means 'to hoard'. All hamsters have cheek pouches
which they use to store food.
The Russian Dwarf
Hamster is a relative newcomer to the world of domestic pets. In 1963 they were
being kept in zoos in England, and in 1970 they were introduced to the pet
market. They came to the United States in the early 1980s and have only been
legal in California since 1994.
The Campbell's Dwarf Russian Hamster first arrived in this country in 1964 when approximately four pairs were obtained by the Royal Holloway College from Professor Pogosianz of the Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow.
Often referred to simply as "Campbells", these are probably
the most widely kept and sold variety of dwarf hamster. They are very sociable
and may be kept in pairs or larger groups. In-fighting is uncommon, but may
necessitate the removal of one or more trouble-makers. Diabetes Mellitus has
been reported in this species, and affected individuals must not be used for
breeding, as there is an inherited element. Selective breeding may help to eliminate
the problem. Campbells have (perhaps undeservedly) acquired a reputation for
biting. Again, breeders should make efforts to selectively breed from placid
individuals, and to avoid intensive inbreeding, which may worsen the problem.
There are several colour and coat varieties available in addition to the normal
grey-brown agouti.
common
names
They are also known as Campbells
dwarf hamster, Dwarf Campbell Russian hamster, Hairy footed Hamster, Russian
Dwarf hamster and incorrectly by the pet trade as the Siberian Dwarf hamster.
Physical Description 
The Russian Dwarf Hamster has a bullet
shaped body, about 3 inches in length, with the male being slightly larger than
the female. They have short, broad heads with small round ears. Their tail is barely
visible, and their feet are furred. Their fur is dense, with a thick undercoat,
and the natural color is grayish-brown with a slate undercoat. They come in a
number of colors including Normal, Albino, Argente, Opal, and Platinum. There
are only two coat types, Normal and Satin.
Habitat
Hamsters can be
housed in a cage, hutch, aquarium or terrarium. The space should be at least 15
inches long, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches deep so they can get plenty of
exercise running around the cage. They also need enough room to set up a toilet
area in the cage, which they will naturally do, to keep the rest of the cage
clean. Metal cages are generally preferable to keep them from chewing
their way out of the cage. Hamsters are known to be good escape artists! Make
sure they have a good soft bedding of wood shavings or prepared litter. Corncob
bedding obtained at pet stores also works well. Don't use blankets or
towels as these may be eaten and will become wet and dirty very quickly. Make
sure you have a food dish (preferably fastened to the cage) and a water bottle.
Also provide your hamster an exercise wheel.
SOCIAL
BEHAVIOR
The general rule for hamsters is to keep only one
animal per cage. Only young hamsters can be housed together if given lots
of space and plenty of hiding places. Males are generally easier to keep
together than females but they may still fight over food and territory.
Even when breeding a male and a female are only placed together for short
periods of time and then removed (see Breeding, below).
LiFESPAN
The average
life span of a hamster is around 2 ½ to 3 years. Because these animals age so
quickly any dwarf hamster over a year of age is considered to be old and may
even show signs of aging. When this happens it's time to take things easy.
Playtime should be kept short because they tire out quicker than when they were
younger.
reproduction
The natural breeding season of the Russian Dwarf Hamster in the wild is
from February through November, but in captivity they can and do breed throughout the year. Breeding age is 50 days. Gestation is 18 days. The average litter size is 3.2, with one report in the literature of a litter of 9. The young hamsters are born with teeth. They quickly grow dark pigment, then fur, then eyes. By the time the fur comes in, they will gnaw at any solid food they can find. One or two days before their eyes open, they will seek it out by smell. As soon as they have functional eyes, they will leave the nest in search of food.
Like mice and many other rodents, female hamsters go into estrous within 24 hours of giving birth, so they are often pregnant with one litter while nursing another. This is one of the reasons why rodents can survive the heavy predation they are subject to.
Growth
and development
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FEEDING
BEHAVIOR
In the wild, Russian Dwarf Hamsters subsist on a diet similar to that of other hamsters. The bulk of this diet consists of seeds and other plant materials. The portion of the wild diet that includes insects and other animal matter is not fully known.
As
pets, dwarf hamsters eat grains, seeds, vegetables and nuts. You can purchase a
mix especially formulated for a hamster's nutritional need. You can offer fresh
fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, apples, grapes, carrots and very small
amounts of lettuce to supplement their diets. Fruit should be kept to a minimum
because it can cause diarrhea.
Hamsters, both
dwarfs and regulars eat the same kinds of foods, which is just about anything!
The best staple food is a hamster pellet which you can get at just about any
pet store. The prepared food will contain all of the vitamins and minerals necessary
for your hamster's nutrition. Go easy on the fruits and vegetables but offer
them once or twice a week. Never let perishable food items stay in the cage for
more than a few hours. Chew sticks or hard pellets are good for hamsters that
want to chew a lot. They will need a fresh supply of water every day. A
constant supply of milk can also be beneficial, especially for bred females,
nursing females, and babies. If you do provide milk, make sure and remove
it if it goes sour.
As do other hamsters, the Russian Dwarf Hamster carries food in its
cheek pouches, either to a hiding place in a corner of the cage or to the nest for a late snack.
GROOM:
Dwarf hamsters do
not need bathing or grooming because they clean and groom themselves. It isn't
recommended to bathe them because the dwarf hamster could catch a chill and
then get sick. You'll always want to keep your dwarf hamster warm and dry.
Sources
http://www.hamperhams.co.uk/baby/hhbaby1.htm
http://members.aol.com/drdoolitel/Campbelli.htm
http://www.petsmart.com/small_animal/answers/breed_guide/articles/article_4075.shtml
