How many Types of Hamsters are there?

How Many Types of Hamsters are There in the World?

Although the term “hamster” refers to about 19 species of small rodents, there are only about five found in the pet market. Below is a list of the most common types found as pets:

Common name	Classification	Binomial name	Also known as
Syrian hamster	Genus Mesocricetus	Mesocricetus auratus	- Golden hamster - Fancy hamster - Honey bear - Black bear - Teddy bear - Dalmatian - Polar bear - European black bear - Panda bear
Chinese hamster	Species C. griseus	Cricetulus griseus	Rat hamster
Campbell’s Dwarf hamster	Species P. sungorus	Phodopus campbelli	Russian dwarf
Winter White Russian dwarf hamster	Species P. sungorus	Phodopus sungorus	Djungarian hamster Siberian hamster
Roborovski hamster	Species P. roborovskii	Phodopus roborovskii	Desert hamster Robo
Mongolian hamster	Species A. curtatus	Allocricetulus curtatus
Eversmann's hamster	Species A. eversmanni	Allocricetulus eversmanni	Kazakh hamster
Gansu hamster	Species C. canus	Cansumys canus
Tibetan dwarf hamster	Species C. alticola	Cricetulus alticola	Ladak hamster
Chinese striped hamster	Species C. barabensis	Cricetulus barabensis	Striped dwarf hamster
Kam dwarf hamster	Species C. kamensis	Cricetulus kamensis	Tibetan hamster
Long-tailed dwarf hamster	Species C. longicaudatus	Cricetulus longicaudatus	Lesser long-tailed hamster Long-tailed hamster
Grey dwarf hamster	Species C. migratorius	Cricetulus migratorius	Armenian hamster Gray hamster Migratory hamster Migratory grey hamster
Sokolov's dwarf hamster	Species C. sokolovi	Cricetulus sokolovi
European hamster	Species C. cricetus	Cricetus cricetus	Eurasian hamster Black-bellied hamster Common hamster
Turkish hamster	Species M. brandti	Mesocricetus brandti	Brandt's hamster Azerbaijani hamster Avurtlak
Romanian hamster	Species M. newtoni	Mesocricetus newtoni	Dobrudja hamster
Ciscaucasian hamster	Species M. raddei	Mesocricetus raddei	Georgian hamster
Greater long-tailed hamster	Species T. triton	Tscherskia triton	Korean hamster

Syrian Hamster

The Syrian hamster (often called Golden hamster) is the most common species of hamster used as pet.

Why is it so popular? Well, it has a good size (not too small), it’s cute, and it’s more social and curious than the other types.

Normal adults are 5-7 inches long (13-18 cm) and weigh around 120-125 g. In the wild they live for 2-3 years, but as pets they can become up to 4 years old (when given a healthy and well-balanced diet).

The original color of Syrian hamsters was a mix of gold, brown and black, but nowadays they come in all sorts of patterns and color variations.

An adult Syrian hamster can’t share cage with another, because they are very territorial. They will fight furiously, sometimes even to the death. So make sure your little friend gets to live alone (in a cage suitable for Syrian hamsters).

Pups must be separated from mothers and siblings before they are sexually mature. Four weeks is a good rule of thumb. Litters normally consist of 8-10 pups.

Roborovski Hamster

The Roborovski hamster (Robo) is relatively small. Adults are only 1.8-2 inches (4.5-5 cm) in length and 20-25 g in weight.

The fur is sand-colored, and they have white spots just above the eyes and a white belly. However, there are ten variations of the Robo, all with slightly different characteristics.

Robos usually live for around three years, and their average litter size is six pups.

Chinese Hamster

The Chinese hamster has a longer and thinner body, and a longer tail, than the other four species that are used as pets.

Adults are around 3.2-5 inches (8.2-12.7 cm) long, and normally weigh 30-45 g. The average life expectancy is 1½ – 2 years.

Brown with a black stripe along the back is the most common color, although it also exists in two other variations.

Chinese hamsters are popular to keep as pets thanks to their calm and gentle behaviour (once tamed).

Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster

Campbell’s dwarf hamster is closely related to the Winter white Russian dwarf hamster.

An adult is usually around 3.9-4.7 inches (10-12 cm) long and weighs somewhere in the region of 30-45 g.

Their life expectancy is 1-2.5 years, depending on diet and the season they are born. Those born during summer seem to live longer.

When living as pets, they get four to six pups per litter. In the wild, the average is eight.

A good thing about Campbell’s dwarf hamster is that they are sociable enough to be able to live both by themselves and in groups.

Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster

The Winter white Russian dwarf hamster (also known as the Djungarian hamster) is a short and almost ball-sized hamster that can withstand very low temperatures.

It has a grey stripe along the spine, and a dark fur that turns white during winter. However, when living as pet the fur doesn’t always change in color.

Winter whites are normally 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) in length, and around 30-45 g in weight,

Normal life expectancy in captivity is 1-3 years, and only one year in the wild.