Russian Campbell's Dwarf Hamster

 

The Russian Campbell's Dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) is an adorable and energetic species of hamster. These hamsters are known for their beautiful gray-brown and white fur. The Campbell's Russian dwarf can live in pairs and look very similar to the Winter White dwarf hamster.

 

History:

The Russian Campbell's Dwarf hamster was discovered by W.C. Campbell in 1902.  These hamsters were found in Tuva, Russia. They are also native to the semi-arid regions of Mongolia, Northern China, Southern Siberia, and Centeral China. By 1968 these hamsters were sucessfully bred in captivity by researchers in the United Kingdom, and were used as laboratory animals. A pair of breeding dwarf hamsters were transferred from the London Zoo by a member of a United Kingdom hamster fanciers group in 1973. By the 1980's, these hamsters were becoming more widely available and popular on the pet market.

 

Common Misunderstandings: 

Like most hamsters, the Russian Campbell's dwarf hamster is misunderstood in multiple ways.

• False: The Russian Campbell's dwarf hamster is the same as the winter white dwarf hamster. True: They are a separate species that happen to look very similar.

• False: These hamsters are mean and nearly un-tamable. True: These hamsters are acutally very gentle but they still need a patient owner who is willing to be patient while taming. 

• False: Real name is the Djungarian hamster. True: The common name is the Russian Campell's dwarf.

 

Fur Types, Patterns, and Colors:

Russian Campbell's dwarves have quite a large variety of colors and patterns but only have two fur types; short-haired, and satin coated. And for patterns there are mottled and platinum (patterns may vary depending on genetics). The average Russian Campbell's dwarf has a grayish-brown coat with a white stomach. Some other colorings are: beige, black, lilac, blue, opal, argente, blue fawn, lilac fawn, dove, champagne, mottled, chocolate, and albino/white. Most of these fur colors are not as common but they do occasionally show up. Another distinct feature is the dorsal stripe, some darker thean others. The dorsal stripe covers most of their back, most Russian Campbell'sdwarves have a dorsal stripe.

 

Basic Information:

• 3-4 inches long

• Average lifespan: 1.5-2 years

• Healthy weight: 1 oz. (28.35 g)

• Can live in pairs 

• Origin: Centeral Asia, Mongolia, Northern China, and Southern Siberia

• Crepescular, or nocturnal