Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamster Facts, "Scientific name for Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters is Phodopus campbelli". Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters are named for their discoverer, W.C. Cambpell. They are also called Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters, Dzungarian, and Russian Hamsters. Native to the Altay mountains, Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters are a desert dwelling species.

Appearance

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters look like the Siberian Dwarf Hamster but are not the same species. They top out at four inches long. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters are smaller than Syrian Hamsters, so put them in a mouse cage instead.

Physical Characteristics
Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters have the classic hamster’s cheeks that let them carry a lot of food in their mouths. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters come in several colors. The natural coloration is a mixture of brown tints in the coat with black around the eyes. People have bred Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters into orange and sandy tones (argente), beige, black, dove, and albino. There are two types of patterned Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters: mottled and platinum. Platinum critters have white hairs mixed with the coat to give it a silver tint. Mottled have a mix of white patches in a coat with a different, common color like beige. The stomach in all cases is a lighter shade than the coat on their backs. The Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamster species have furred feet.

Behavior

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters are most active at dusk and dawn.

The Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters mature at five weeks of age and can start
breeding at that point.
Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) are prone to eating their young if the mother lacks protein in her diet, stressed or feels threatened. The average litter is four babies, but litters as large as ten have occurred. If the female has this many young, she is prone to eating some of them to manage the stress and rebuild her strength.

This threat can include the addition of other hamsters in the cage, such as a father who was removed and then returned. However, the male Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamster is not going to attack his mate and will even help with the young, unlike the solitary Syrian Golden Hamster. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters can get along in colonies, though a male will readily impregnate a female just days after she has given birth. Sibling groups and even unrelated hamsters mixed before six weeks of age will get along. Keep them in same-sex groups to prevent breeding. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters may get along well for up to a year and then begin fighting, at which point they must be separated.

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters will bite if they feel threatened, such as being held to tight.

Care and Raising

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters are prone to diabetes. Unless you know that the line of hamsters you are interested in does not have this problem, don’t feed the hamster sugary foods like peas, corn, sugary fruit, and yogurt drops. If the hamster is prone to diabetes, carrots are the best treat you can give them but even limit those. Cucumbers, broccoli, and cut up pieces of apple are suitable. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters should be given a mixture of seeds, grains, and uncooked vegetables. Don’t give them potato tops or tomato leaves due to the potentially dangerous compounds in their leaves. Avoid garlic, onions, and rhubarb. Remove uneaten food so that it does not rot and make the hamster sick when consumed.

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters have teeth that constantly grow. Give them hamster safe chews to gnaw on. In a pinch, give them dog biscuits to chew on. Don’t give Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters wooden chew toys, since this can give them splinters.

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters need nesting material, and nesting paper or paper without ink on it are ideal. They’ll chew up cardboard.