Considering A Hamster As A Pet

The hamster kept as pet most often is the Golden Hamster, also caled Syrian Hamster. So-caled Teddybear or BlackBear hamsters are also breeds of golden hamsters.

But also four species of smaler hamsters are popular pets, often called dwarf hamsters. These are Roborovski hamster, (Phodopus roborovski) often caled Roborovski, the chinese striped hamster (Cricetulus griseus) and the two subspecies of Phodopus sungorus, the winter white russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) and Campbel's dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus campeli).

The care of the dwarf hamsters is similar to that of the golden hamster, but there are differences in feeding and housing needs and temperament. Winter whites and Campel's are fairly popular, in the US the campels more sothan the whinter whites, while it's other way round in Europe.

Roborovski and Chinese striped Hamsters are some whatmore difficult to breed and keep, they are usualy only available from breeders, and therefore limited to serious rodentia fans.

Roborovski are especialy not suitable for children.

Hamsters are nocturnal by nature, making them less than ideal as pets for people who are normaly awake during the day.

However, many people prefer them to rats, given rats'unsavory reputation (undeserved as pets). Unlike rats, they are not particularly good at learning tricks but can be entertaining to watch. They are also much smaler than guinea pigs, although equaly as furry and appealing, so are more appropriate for homes with limited space.