All breeds and types of hamsters with photos and names

The variety of hamsters often causes confusion in the names. All breeds of hamsters can be attributed to 19 species that have their own characteristics. As a rule, these animals do not tolerate their relatives. Keep the animals separately to avoid bloody fights.

Hamsters are not as harmless animals as they might seem. In nature, these are dangerous animals that can even attack a person: the size of the enemy does not bother the animal. Wild hamsters can reach 34 cm and weigh over 700 g. If they settled near vegetable gardens, then this is a real disaster for the owners of the site.

In addition to defiantly aggressive behavior, wild representatives of this family can spread infectious diseases. This is another reason why pet hamsters should be chosen.

Breeds and photos of domestic hamsters

Existing species of domestic hamsters are not as diverse as they are often made out to be. This list systematizes pets and reveals some of the tricks of the sellers of these cute animals.

Dzungarian (Sungur) hamster

Dzungarian hamsters or dzhungariki are medium-sized animals – up to 10 cm in length and weighing up to 65 g. Their characteristic feature is a dark stripe along the ridge and a pronounced rhombus on the head. The main color of the jungarian is a gray-brown back and a white belly, but there are other options:

• sapphire;
• pearl;
• tangerine.

The animals differ in shades, but retain the characteristic pattern on the head and back.

These cute animals easily get used to humans and can live in captivity for up to 3 years, rarely up to 4. Dzungaria are prone to diabetes, so sweet fruits should be given in limited quantities.

Syrian hamster

Syrian hamsters are larger than jungars. They live 3-4 years, rarely reach 5 years of age. According to international standards, the animals should be 12 cm long, but sometimes they grow up to 20 cm. Weight starts from 100 g and ends at 140 g, females weigh more. The most common color is golden, but there are different colors from all shades of yellow and brown to chocolate and black. There are babies with blue and smoky skins. This breed of hamsters differs in the length of the coat. Allocate:

• long-haired;
• shorthaired;
• satin;
• rex;
• hairless.

If the individual is long-haired, then the female’s hair can be much shorter.

The “Syrians” have 4 fingers on their front paws, and 5 on their hind legs. They are calmer in temperament than the Dzungars and make contact with a person more easily.

angora hamster

Angora is a misnomer for the long-haired Syrian hamster. Shaggy little animals look different than standard Syrians, but they are the same breed. The difference is that such animals can only live at home. Their coat requires extra care.

Hamsters Roborovsky

Roborovsky hamsters are the only members of the family that can be kept in a group, and it is better to have the same sex in order to prevent competing fights.

These babies are the smallest members of the family. Their size does not exceed 5 cm. They reproduce worse, so they are more expensive. They live for almost 4 years and are more independent than the “Syrians”. They are almost impossible to accustom to hands, they are interesting for people who like to observe the social life of animals. The animals are distinguished by white eyebrows and a snub-nosed muzzle. Their belly is also light. The skin can be dyed golden, sandy and light brown. There are babies with fur “agouti” and cream color.

Campbell’s hamster

Campbell’s hamsters resemble jungars. They are also dwarf – up to 10 cm long and have a stripe on their back. However, there are differences, the jungars have standard dark colors, and the Campbells have more golden hues. The stripe on their skin is more blurry and thin. The “arches” of the transition of the color of the back to the abdomen are not so pronounced. Dzungarians cannot have red eyes even in albinos. Campbells can be spotted. The fur of the jungars is smooth, while that of the Campbell is in “shreds”. Dzungaria are egg-shaped, and Campbell is in the form of a figure eight. These animals live for about 2 years.

Defunct breeds

Among domestic hamsters, confusion often arises. Someone out of ignorance, and someone in pursuit of profit sells fictional breeds of hamsters with strange names.

royal hamster

Usually the Syrian shaggy hamster is given the royal title in order to sell it more expensively. Fake varieties of animals, noble blood, are not related to the elite. There is no such breed of “royal hamster”.

Albino hamsters

Albinos are not distinguished into a separate breed, since this is only a genetic deviation in animals of any kind. Albinos are called hamsters, whose body does not produce melanin. Because of this feature, the animals have white hair and a transparent cornea of ​​​​the eyes. Protruding blood vessels make the eyes of an albino red. These hamsters are more sensitive to sunlight and often have poor eyesight and hearing. In good conditions, they live no less than their fellow tribesmen.

golden hamster

Golden is sometimes called ordinary Syrian hamsters. This is the most popular coat color of this breed. Hamsters of the “golden” breed do not exist.

white hamster

Sometimes there is a desire to get an animal of a certain color, for example, white, then helpful sellers offer a rare breed for a lot of money – a white hamster. And, again, this is a scam. A white hamster can either be an albino or just have that coat color. It is necessary to choose the breed, and the breed “white hamster” does not exist.

black hamster

Just like with white hamsters, blacks can be Syrians, Dzungars, etc. Breed “black hamster” does not exist.

Unpopular breeds or wild hamsters

For the most part, wild hamsters are nocturnal, and in winter they hibernate for a short time. They feed on both plant and animal food, preferring the products of their habitat. Many of them build holes, breaking through long labyrinths, small individuals use other people’s dwellings.

Common hamster (karbysh)

A wild hamster can reach a size of 34 cm, and the length of its tail is 3-8 cm. It lives in the steppes and forest-steppes, often settles near a person. His skin is bright: the back is reddish-brown, and the abdomen is black. White spots on sides and front. There are black specimens and black with white spots. Karbysh live in the wild for 4 years, in favorable conditions they can reach 6 years.

gray hamster

The gray hamster is a rodent no larger than a mouse. it belongs to the genus of gray hamsters. The body length is from 9,5 to 13 cm. It has a gray back and a light belly. Depending on the habitat, the color of the skin may vary. He does not dig holes himself, but occupies others. The animal has large cheek pouches and small ears. In some regions, it is listed in the Red Book.

Hamster Radde

Hamster Radde is found in the foothills and mountains, prefers plant foods. It multiplies rapidly and destroys the grass, which angers the farmers. The animal reaches a size of 28 cm, and weighs more than 700 g. There are individuals of about 1 kg. The skin of the rodent is silky: brown on top and dark below with reddish “inserts”. There are white spots on the muzzle and behind the ears. In the wild, the animal lives for about 3 years.

Eversman’s hamster and Mongolian hamster

The Eversman hamster genus includes two rodents that are similar in appearance and habits: Mongolian and Eversman. Both animals prefer steppes and semi-deserts. Mongolian lives in the deserts of the country, northern China and Tuva.

Both animals are no more than 16 cm in size with a short tail – 2 cm. The Mongolian is slightly smaller, its back color is lighter and there is no characteristic dark spot on the chest, like Eversman’s hamster. Eversman’s hamster can have an intensely colored back in brown, black or golden. Both hamsters have a light belly and paws. They are listed in the Red Book.

Barabinsky hamster

The animal belongs to the genus of gray hamsters. Lives in Western Siberia, Transbaikalia, Mongolia. The body length is up to 12-13 cm, the tail is about 3 cm. The rodent is dressed in a red fur coat along the back there is a black stripe: from clear to blurry in different individuals. The belly is light to white. A characteristic feature are two-tone ears with a white border around the edges. There are 4 varieties of hamsters.

Daurian hamster

The Dahurian hamster is a variety of the Baraba hamster (Cricetulus barabensis Pallas). Lives in Western Siberia. The color of the back is darker than in other subspecies. There is a distinct stripe on the back.

Hamster Brandt

Belongs to the genus of medium hamsters. The size of an individual is from 15 to 18 cm, the length of the tail is 2-3 cm, it reaches a weight of 300 g. It lives in the foothill steppes of Transcaucasia, Turkey and Lebanon. The color of the back is brown, the belly is white or gray. The animal has a dark spot on its chest. A double white stripe runs along the neck around the head, which starts from the mouth and ends near the ears. There are light spots on the cheeks. Lives for about 2 years.

Hamster Sokolova

Little-studied representatives of the genus of gray hamsters. They live in Mongolia and China. Unlike many other members of the family, they do not harm the planting of cereal crops. The size of the animal is about 11,5 mm. He has a gray skin and a light belly. The tail of a hamster is almost invisible. There is a dark stripe down the back. It will not live long in captivity, because there is too little information about it.

Chinese hamster

The Chinese hamster is named after its habitat. It belongs to the genus of gray hamsters. This is an animal with a slightly elongated body – 8-12 cm and a bare tail. The back of the animal is dark brown with a noticeable stripe. Rodents live on average 2,5 years.

Newton’s hamster

A bit like the “Syrian”, but different in color and character. If the former are peaceful, then the Newton has a vicious disposition. Its size is up to 17 cm, tail length is up to 2,5 cm. The rodent has gray-brown fur on the back with a black stripe from the head to the middle of the body. The throat and part of the chest are covered with dark fur, and the abdomen is light.

Taylor’s hamster

These hamsters grow no more than 8 cm. Their back is gray-brown, and their abdomen is light. They live in Mexico and Arizona. In nature, they use other people’s holes or make houses near stones and crevices. They live in dense grass.

grasshopper hamster

The grasshopper or scorpion hamster lives in Canada and Mexico. It grows up to 14 cm, including the tail, its weight is 40-60 g. Its skin is brown, the belly is light. The animal feeds only on insects, lizards and small rodents. Hamster species such as this predator are no longer found. A scorpion can also become its prey. The hamster is resistant to insect venom. These hamsters will sometimes squeak for a few seconds while raising their head up. This phenomenon is called howling hamsters.

Siberian hamster

The Siberian hamster is distinguished by a seasonal change of coat. This dwarf member of the family wears a dark gray outfit with a brown stripe in summer, and changes into a white fur coat with a gray line on the back in winter. The animals grow up to 10 cm, and the maximum weight at home is 50 g. In nature, rodents live 2,5 years, in captivity – up to 3 years.

Tibetan hamster

Dwarf Tibetan hamsters live in China. These types of hamsters can settle in mountainous areas at an altitude of up to 4000 m above sea level. The animals grow up to 11 cm, and the tail is almost half the length of the body. Their color is gray with dark and black streaks. The tail is pubescent, and a black stripe runs along its surface. The belly and underside of the tail are light.

rat-like hamster

These pests of agricultural crops live in Northern China. The size of the animals is up to 25 cm, the tail grows up to 10 cm. The color of the back is gray-brown, the abdomen is light, the tail is brown, the paws are white, the soles are covered with wool.

short-tailed hamster

This breed of hamster lives in Tibet and China at an altitude of 4000-5000 m above sea level. Their color is uniform: brown, gray with a yellow tinge. With a body length of up to 10 cm, they weigh 40 g.

Kansky hamster

An understudied look. It lives in the deciduous forests of China. It feeds on plants and builds nests on the ground. The length of the animal is 17 cm, the tail is 10 cm. The rodent has dense fur, white claws are noticeable on its thin paws. The color of the back is gray, there are white spots on the ears and cheeks, the abdomen is also white.

long-tailed hamster

Inhabits the rocky surfaces of Transbaikalia and Tuva. The animal grows up to 12 cm, about 40% of the body length is pubescent gray-white tail. The skin of the hamster is gray, slightly reddish with age, the belly is white. The muzzle is sharp, the ears are large round with a white border around the edges.

In order to figure out what hamsters are, you need to know the features of each species. Within the genus, animals may differ slightly from each other.