Common Names: Winter White Dwarf Hamster, Djungarian Hamster, Siberian Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus sungorus
Family: Cricetidae
Origin/Range: Siberia, northern Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and northeastern China
Habitat: Cold grasslands, semi-deserts, and steppes; dig burrows for shelter and warmth
Size: 7–10 cm (2.7–4 in)
Weight: 25–50 g (0.9–1.8 oz)
Build: Small, rounded body with short legs and tail
Coat:
Summer: gray-brown with a dark stripe along the back and a white underside
Winter: turns much lighter, sometimes nearly pure white, for camouflage in snow (color change may not occur indoors as pets)
Lifespan: 1.5–3 years in captivity (shorter in the wild)
Activity: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular (active at night and twilight)
Social Behavior: Can sometimes live in pairs or groups if introduced young, but fights are possible—many owners house them singly
Personality: Curious, gentle compared to other dwarf species, fast-moving but fairly tameable
Natural Habits: Excellent diggers, create tunnels and burrows for nesting and storing food
Type: Omnivores
Wild Diet: Seeds, grasses, grains, insects, roots, and small plants
Captive Diet:
Hamster seed mix or pellets
Fresh vegetables (carrot, cucumber, broccoli, spinach in moderation)
Occasional protein (boiled egg, mealworms)
Avoid: Sugary foods (they are prone to diabetes), citrus, onions, garlic, and chocolate
Maturity: ~2 months old
Breeding Season: Typically summer in the wild; year-round in captivity
Gestation Period: 18–21 days
Litter Size: 4–8 pups (sometimes up to 12)
Development:
Born blind and hairless
Fur at ~7 days
Eyes open by ~12–14 days
Weaned at 3–4 weeks
