Here are common small hamster breeds and their characteristics:
I. Dwarf Hamsters (Smallest Body Type)
- Roborovski Hamster
Only 4–5 cm in length, it’s the smallest hamster breed in the world.
Characteristics: Large eyes, short tail, and mostly sand-yellow fur.
- Winter White Dwarf Hamster (Silver Fox)
6–8 cm in length, with snow-white fur that has a silver sheen.
Temperament: Gentle, making it suitable for beginners.
- Violet Dwarf Hamster
7–9 cm in length, with fur that gradients from gray to purple.
(Strong nocturnal habits), quiet during the day.
II. Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters (Medium-Small Size)
- Pudding Hamster
8–10 cm in length, with cream-yellow fur.
Sensitive to temperature; keep the environment at 20–28°C.
- Milk Tea Hamster
7–9 cm in length, with fur resembling milk tea.
Temperament: Lazy, with low activity levels.
III. Special Notes
- Solitary Needs: All small hamsters must be housed alone; cage sharing leads to fights.
- Lifespan Differences: Dwarf breeds live an average of ~2 years, while Campbell’s breeds live ~2.5 years.
(Note: "Bear" breeds like the Syrian hamster exceed 12 cm in length and are not classified as small.)