10 Facts About the Winter White Dwarf Hamster
Photo by Chewy
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters come in a variety of colors, but they’re best known for their seasonal coat-color change to white. Also known as the Dwarf Hamster, Winter White Hamster, and Russian Dwarf Hamster, these eye-catching, charming, and compact creatures are one of five hamster species that are commonly kept as domesticated pets in the United States.
If you’re considering a Winter White Dwarf Hamster as a pet, our expert explains more about this unique hamster species—including their size, habitat and care needs, unique coats, and social habits—so you’ll know what to expect before deciding if they’re the right fit for your home.
Key Takeaways
- While their coat can turn white in winter, the Winter White Dwarf Hamster's coat may not always change fully to white in captivity.
- These cute little pets come in three main color varieties: sapphire, pearl, and natural pearl.
- Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have an average lifespan of 1.5 to 2.5 years and grow to about 3 to 4 inches long.
- A safe, secure cage is the best habitat for these little escape artists.
1. They’re From Russia
The Winter White Dwarf Hamster, also called the Siberian or Russian hamster, hails from Siberia and Kazakhstan, and its Latin name is Phodopus sungorus.
They are common pets in Europe, Asia and North America—one of the five most popular hamster species in the United States. These hamsters often are confused with Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli), which have a similar size and appearance.
2. They’re Tiny
As a dwarf hamster, your Winter White likely will grow to 3-4 inches long, says Erin Ramsey, co-president of California Hamster Association in Southern California and owner of Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters. Male Winter White Dwarf Hamsters generally are larger than females, and “the male has a more prominent scent gland on the belly,” Ramsey says.
They sport a round, oval-looking body shape with fur covering their feet and legs.
3. They Change Color in Winter
There are three main color varieties: sapphire, pearl, and natural pearl. This charming hamster’s coat turns white in winter, thus its name. The rest of the year, Winter White Dwarf Hamsters are adorned in a grey-brown coat color with a dark dorsal stripe down the back.
In the wild, this coat change provides camouflage against the snow. The change in color can take a few days to a few weeks, and some people report seeing their Winter White Dwarf Hamsters change in waves from head to tail.
The color-change occurs extent to which your hamster’s coat might change during the short, light periods may vary from a few faded patches to a whitening of his entire coat. Lack of exposure to seasonal light cycles usually prevents this coat-color change in captivity.
4. They’re Short-Lived
Winter Whites live an average of 1.5 to 2.5 years. They are not particularly prone to any illness, but they can suffer from the same illnesses as other hamsters.
5. They’re Family-Friendly
Generally speaking, Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have a more tolerant personality than Campbell’s hamsters, and they are less likely to bite when being handled. Their small size makes them better suited to older teenagers and adults than younger children, but families with youngsters can do great with these hamsters if they put in the time, Ramsey says.
6. They’re Playful
“They all have different personalities and are very interesting to watch when in proper habitats. They enjoy play time in a safe playpen and socializing with humans.”
What if you share your home with other pets? “Hamsters should never be exposed to other pets,” Ramsey says, “but they do fine in the same environment as long as they are secure in their cage.”
7. They’re Sociable
This sociable species is best kept in pairs or groups.”Same sex, same litter usually works out, but they do have a pecking order,” Ramsey says. “If one is more dominant or bullies the other, they must be separated immediately.”
The decision to keep a mixed-sex pair or group should not be taken lightly because breeding will occur, and hamster litters can be produced every three weeks. If this is your first time caring for a hamster, Ramsey recommends starting with a solitary hamster.
8. They Need Early Socialization
For a more successful multi-hamster living situation, introduce Winter White Dwarf Hamsters who will live together at a young age—preferably 5-8 weeks. Even better is if they come from the same litter or shared living quarters. Hamsters who have lived alone may not accept a companion peaceably.
9. They Do Well in a Secure Cage
The best cages for Winter White Dwarf Hamsters offer at least 450 square inches of unbroken ground space, and the bigger the better, Ramsey says.
Options include bar cages, aquarium tanks (40-gallon breeder), and bin cages made from 110-quart plastic storage tubs.
Use a wire-mesh lid to prevent escapes and injury from falling objects. And because dwarf hamsters can squeeze through the bars of many wire cages, keep bar spacing in mind when choosing your hamster’s habitat.
10. They Like To Burrow
Your new pet will love to burrow, so provide your Winter White Dwarf Hamster with soft bedding. You can choose from wood shavings, fluffy bedding and shredded paper, like CareFresh Small Animal Bedding. Ramsey recommends about 4 inches of bedding for your pet to burrow and sleep in in his enclosure.
If you’re now convinced that the Winter White Dwarf Hamster is the right pet for you, it’s time to choose an adorable hamster name, learn more about their dietary needs and quirky behaviors, and pick out the supplies you’ll need as soon as you take your new pet home.
FAQs About Winter White Dwarf Hamsters
How big do Winter White Dwarf Hamsters get?
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters typically grow to 3-4 inches long and have a round, oval-shaped body with fur covering their feet and legs.
Why do Winter White Dwarf Hamsters turn white?
The Winter White Dwarf Hamster’s coat turns white in winter in the wild to provide camouflage against snow. In captivity, a Winter White Dwarf Hamster’s coat change may be only partial, or may not happen at all, since they may not be exposed to the same seasonal changes in sunlight they would experience in the wild.
How long do Winter White Dwarf Hamsters live?
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters live an average of 1.5 to 2.5 years.
Are Winter White Dwarf Hamsters the same as Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters?
While these two domesticated hamster species are often confused due to their similar size and appearance, they are actually two distinct species: Winter White Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli).
What colors do Winter White Dwarf Hamsters come in?
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters come in three main color varieties: sapphire, pearl, and natural pearl. Typically, their non-winter coat is a variation of grey-brown with a darker dorsal stripe.
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