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Chinese Dwarf Hamsters, with their long, hairless tails, look more like a mouse than a hamster. They belong to a different hamster family than the Russian Dwarf Hamsters and are not technically dwarves. However, they are called dwarf hamsters because of their tiny size – about 3 to 4 inches long.
These hamsters were often used in research before being displaced by rats and mice. Very timid by nature, they are not socialized as easily as other species of hamster but, once tame, are mild mannered and even tempered. They are not known to nip and bite the way other hamsters are.
One thing that Chinese Dwarf Hamsters have in common with Russian Dwarf Hamsters is their ability to escape from traditional cages, whose bars they can easily squeeze through. It is important to place them in a secure habitat, such as a cage intended for a mouse, or an aquarium retrofitted with a special top that cannot be gnawed through.
In the wild, Chinese Dwarf Hamsters are grey-brown with a black dorsal stripe — a stripe down their backs – and an ivory colored belly. A common color variation seen in captive Chinese Dwarf Hamsters is called “Dominant Spot.” These hamsters are completely grey-white, except for the darker dorsal stripe. A very rare color variant is the black-eyed white, which is an all-white hamster with black eyes. Only a handful of the rare black-eyed whites exist, and are owned exclusively by professional hamster enthusiasts.
They are nocturnal, but are active during the day in short bursts of activity. As with all hamsters, it is important to approach them gradually and carefully when they are asleep. A startled hamster will assume it is being attacked and will respond accordingly.
Like the Syrian Hamster, the dwarf Chinese hamster is best kept separate from each other since they may become violent, engaging in battles that end in the death of one of the hamsters. Most of these hamsters that are kept as pets are female. The males are used primarily for breeding and laboratory research. Pairing a male and female in a cage together will usually end up in the death of the male.
As with all hamsters, it is important to provide the appropriate bedding. Hay, paper or aspen bedding will not cause allergies or other complications. Avoid pine or cedar bedding, which is toxic to hamsters and cat litter, which can be laden with chemicals. They will appreciate having a clean and tidy home. A weekly cleaning of the cage and change of bedding is standard practice.
They may be fed a mouse or rat mix, or lab blocks complemented by healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables. Never feed a hamster junk food, salted food, chocolates or other sweets. Vitamins, such as Nutri-Cal, are appropriate supplements. Pregnant Chinese Dwarf Hamsters will require additional calcium. Water should be provided in bottles to minimize spillage. Stoneware is recommended for food, as plastic can leach toxins.
These hamsters are difficult to find, since keeping them as pets is restricted in much of the United States. While some states classify the hamster as an exotic pet, requiring a special license, California has declared these hamsters an outright pest as it is viewed as a threat to the agricultural industry.
Non-indigenous animals should never be set free outdoors, in case they out-compete the native wildlife. Since there seems to be alarm over these rare hamsters, it is important to be a responsible owner. Please remember that many environmental disasters were caused by the casual release of exotic animals. Gypsy moths and Starlings are two dramatic examples of destructive introduced species in the continental United States, as are mongoose in Hawaii and rabbits in Australia.
The best choice of pet for the casual hamster owner might not be the Chinese Dwarf Hamster.
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Source by Jeremy Smart
