Hamster Care Guides

A little one who does best alone, and still deserves a home that feels safe. These notes are for the person who checks on them after dark.

58 guides, written for the hamsters you love

Every guide for them. Pick a tag if you already know what you need.

Supplies for hamsters

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Tools for this species

Which hamster came home?

Each card is one animal. A longer coat is not a new species, and “dwarf” is not one species either.

Syrian hamster

Syrian hamster

The short-haired Syrian, including the golden hamster. The teddy bear on the next card is the long-haired coat of this same species.

Scientific name
Mesocricetus auratus
Lifespan
Typical wild lifespan 1.5–2 years; typical captive lifespan 2–2.5 years
Adult size
13–13.5 cm long
Adult weight
100–125 g
Social needs
Solitary and highly territorial toward other hamsters, except when mating
Read the Syrian guide
Teddy bear hamster

Teddy bear hamster

A long-haired Syrian, not another species. The numbers below are the Syrian hamster’s numbers. A fluffier coat does not change the lifespan or the weight.

Scientific name
Mesocricetus auratus
Lifespan
Typical wild lifespan 1.5–2 years; typical captive lifespan 2–2.5 years
Adult size
13–13.5 cm long
Adult weight
100–125 g
Social needs
Solitary and highly territorial toward other hamsters, except when mating
Syrian or teddy bear?
Campbell's dwarf

Campbell's dwarf

One dwarf species. These numbers are not for winter whites, Roborovskis, or Syrians.

Scientific name
Phodopus campbelli
Adult size
80–103 mm long; average length listed as 102 mm
Adult weight
Average mass 23.4 g
Lifespan
Captive average lifespan 1.5–3 years; typical captive lifespan listed as 2–2.5 years
Social needs
Generally classified as solitary. Captive Campbell's hamsters are also described as willing to live together.
See all five hamsters
Winter white dwarf

Winter white dwarf

A different species from Campbell's, even when a pet shop uses one name for both. Many animals sold as winter whites are crosses. These numbers are for Phodopus sungorus only.

Scientific name
Phodopus sungorus
Adult size
Head and body 70–90 mm; tail 5–15 mm
Adult weight
Males 19–45 g; females 19–36 g
Lifespan
Average 1–3 years in captivity. In the wild, as little as one year.
Social needs
Same-sex hamsters are sometimes kept together. Co-housing can also cause stress and fighting.
Read the winter white guide
Roborovski dwarf

Roborovski dwarf

The smallest hamster, and not a small Campbell's. Do not use Campbell's or Syrian numbers for this one.

Scientific name
Phodopus roborovskii
Adult size
Smallest hamsters; adult head and body about 53–81 mm
Adult weight
17.5–27.2 g
Lifespan
Captive typical lifespan 19–40 months; captive average 26 months
Social needs
Generally solitary; may be found in pairs while not rearing young
Read the Roborovski guide
Chinese hamster

Chinese hamster

Not a dwarf hamster. This is a different genus, with a longer tail. Do not use dwarf or Syrian numbers here.

Scientific name
Cricetulus griseus. Some authorities treat it as Cricetulus barabensis griseus.
Adult size
Body length 82–127 mm; tail 20–33 mm
Adult weight
Adults 30–45 g
Lifespan
Two to three years on average
Social needs
Solitary, like most hamsters other than the three Phodopus species
Read the Chinese hamster guide