Common Names: Winter White Dwarf Hamster, Djungarian Hamster, Siberian Hamster
Scientific Name: Phodopus sungorus
Family: Cricetidae (hamsters, voles, lemmings)
Origin/Range: Native to Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and northeastern China
Habitat: Cold steppes, grasslands, and semi-deserts; burrows underground to escape harsh weather
Size: 7–10 cm (2.8–4 in) long
Weight: 25–50 g (0.9–1.8 oz)
Build: Compact, rounded body with short legs and tail
Coat:
Summer coat: grayish-brown with a dark dorsal stripe and white belly
Winter coat: fur becomes lighter—sometimes nearly pure white—to camouflage in snow (not all pet hamsters change color indoors)
Lifespan: 1.5–3 years in captivity (shorter in the wild)
Activity: Nocturnal/crepuscular (active at night and twilight)
Social Structure: Can sometimes live in same-sex pairs or groups if raised together, but fights may occur—many owners house them singly to avoid aggression
Personality: Curious, relatively gentle compared to other hamster species, quick-moving but easier to tame than Roborovskis
Locomotion: Fast runners and enthusiastic diggers; can squeeze through small spaces
Communication: Squeaks, scent marking, and body language
Type: Omnivores
Wild Diet: Seeds, grains, grasses, insects, and small plants
Captive Diet:
Hamster seed mix or pellet food
Fresh vegetables (carrot, cucumber, broccoli, spinach in moderation)
Occasional protein treats (boiled egg, mealworms)
Avoid: Citrus fruits, onions, garlic, chocolate, and sugary foods (prone to diabetes)
Maturity: Reach sexual maturity at ~2 months old
Gestation Period: ~18–21 days
Litter Size: 4–8 pups (sometimes up to 12)
Development:
Born blind and hairless
Fur appears after 7 days
Eyes open at 12–14 days
Weaned by 3–4 weeks
