The '''Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster''' is commonly called the Russian, Siberian, or Djungarian hamster. Of the dwarf hamsters sold in pet stores, usually labeled as one of the above types, nearly all are actually Dwarf Campbell's Russians. There has been some debate over the classification of the Campbell's Russian and its closely related cousin, the Winter White Russian Hamster, but now the two species are usually classified as Phodopus campbelli and P. sungorus, respectively. The Campbell's was discovered by W.C. Campbell in Tuva, Mongolia, in 1902. The species may also be found in northern China, central Asia, and some parts of Russia. ==General Information== The Campbell's hamster inhabits the steppes of eastern and central Asia, digging burrows which may extend up to three feet underground. These burrows are commonly lined with scavenged sheep's wool and dry grasses; these burrows maintain an average temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural predators include various owls, foxes, falcons, and weasels. Campbell's hamsters have an average lifespan of two years when raised in captivity. Becoming sexually mature at only 5 weeks, their litters usually consist of 4-6 pups, birthed after a gestation period of 18-21 days. The pair may mate again immediately after birth. Unlike other hamster species, especially the Syrian hamsters, the male plays an active role in birth and rearing. He may assist the female in pulling pups from the birth canal, cleaning them, and ensuring the new mother has enough to eat. He may also guard them while the female is away from the nest. Unlike Syrian hamsters, Campbell's dwarfs are sociable and may be kept in colonies. If the hamsters are introduced at a young age, generally younger than 8 weeks, they will often happily coexist in same- or mixed-sex groups. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and at dusk. Diabetes is becoming a common problem in some breeding lines of Campbell's hamsters. ===Diet=== In the wild, Campbell's dwarfs consume a variety of grains, seeds, and vegetables. However, pet owners may experience problems when attempting to approximate this wild diet. These hamsters should be kept away from many common foods, some of which may be suitable for other rodents. These foods include: *almonds *celery *chocolate *unwashed produce *garlic *kidney beans *lettuce *onion *peanuts *potato tops *rhubarb *foods containing spices *sugars, and all sugary foods *tomato ==Additional Information for Pet Owners== Campbell's hamsters have extremely poor eyesight and even worse depth perception. Cataracts are also common in older hamsters. To compensate for this disability, Campbell's have many scent glands, which are located on the face, behind the ears, on the cheek pouches, and near the rectum and genitals. Many pet owners observe that the hamster may groom itself when in an unfamiliar location. This is done to scent the feet, creating a trail which would enable the hamster to find its way back to the burrow. This behavior may also be used to revisit a location with plentiful food. These scent trails may persist for up to eight days. ===Colors and Markings=== Campbell's hamsters are born with one of two coat types: satin and rex. A hamster with a satin coat appears wet or greasy. In reality the gene only enhances the fur's color and gives it lift. The rex coat type is sleek, smooth, and glossy, and is found in the vast majority of hamsters. They are available in three basic colors, and have numerous spotting genes, which create different markings. Colors include: *agouti (the normal wild color) *argente (cinnamon or sandy) *albino Not all white hamsters are albino. White Campbell's Russians with black eyes are the product of the mutation of a self-color gene. However, when two white or spotted hamsters are bred, approximately 25% of the litter will be anopthalmic whites, lacking eyes and teeth. This lethal mutation is the product of the interaction between already-mutated genes. These pups generally do not live past 2 weeks. Marking types include: *spotted (also called mottled) *pearl (sometimes called platinum) **the hallmarks of this type include a dark dorsal stripe with colored ticking around the face and flanks *collared (white band around shoulders) Interbreeding of these pure types has produced new colors, including blue, blue fawn, lilac fawn, and black. Some self-colored hamsters now have a white spot at the neck, an indication of collared ancestors. Contrary to popular belief, the different colors and markings of hamsters do not indicate personality differences. Personality can be predicted, though, by a close examination of the bloodline and any neurological diseases its ancestors displayed. ---- Resources: #[http://www.hamsterific.com/RussianHamster.cfm Hamsterific's Dwarf Russian Hamsters] #"Popular Pets" series of Critter Magazine
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Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster
The '''Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamster''' is commonly called the Russian, Siberian, or Djungarian hamster. Of the dwarf hamsters sold in pet stores, usually labeled as one of the above types, nearly all are actually Dwarf Campbell's Russians. There has been some debate over the classification of the Campbell's Russian and its closely related cousin, the Winter White Russian Hamster, but now the two species are usually classified as Phodopus campbelli and P. sungorus, respectively. The Campbell's was discovered by W.C. Campbell in Tuva, Mongolia, in 1902. The species may also be found in northern China, central Asia, and some parts of Russia. ==General Information== The Campbell's hamster inhabits the steppes of eastern and central Asia, digging burrows which may extend up to three feet underground. These burrows are commonly lined with scavenged sheep's wool and dry grasses; these burrows maintain an average temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural predators include various owls, foxes, falcons, and weasels. Campbell's hamsters have an average lifespan of two years when raised in captivity. Becoming sexually mature at only 5 weeks, their litters usually consist of 4-6 pups, birthed after a gestation period of 18-21 days. The pair may mate again immediately after birth. Unlike other hamster species, especially the Syrian hamsters, the male plays an active role in birth and rearing. He may assist the female in pulling pups from the birth canal, cleaning them, and ensuring the new mother has enough to eat. He may also guard them while the female is away from the nest. Unlike Syrian hamsters, Campbell's dwarfs are sociable and may be kept in colonies. If the hamsters are introduced at a young age, generally younger than 8 weeks, they will often happily coexist in same- or mixed-sex groups. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and at dusk. Diabetes is becoming a common problem in some breeding lines of Campbell's hamsters. ===Diet=== In the wild, Campbell's dwarfs consume a variety of grains, seeds, and vegetables. However, pet owners may experience problems when attempting to approximate this wild diet. These hamsters should be kept away from many common foods, some of which may be suitable for other rodents. These foods include: *almonds *celery *chocolate *unwashed produce *garlic *kidney beans *lettuce *onion *peanuts *potato tops *rhubarb *foods containing spices *sugars, and all sugary foods *tomato ==Additional Information for Pet Owners== Campbell's hamsters have extremely poor eyesight and even worse depth perception. Cataracts are also common in older hamsters. To compensate for this disability, Campbell's have many scent glands, which are located on the face, behind the ears, on the cheek pouches, and near the rectum and genitals. Many pet owners observe that the hamster may groom itself when in an unfamiliar location. This is done to scent the feet, creating a trail which would enable the hamster to find its way back to the burrow. This behavior may also be used to revisit a location with plentiful food. These scent trails may persist for up to eight days. ===Colors and Markings=== Campbell's hamsters are born with one of two coat types: satin and rex. A hamster with a satin coat appears wet or greasy. In reality the gene only enhances the fur's color and gives it lift. The rex coat type is sleek, smooth, and glossy, and is found in the vast majority of hamsters. They are available in three basic colors, and have numerous spotting genes, which create different markings. Colors include: *agouti (the normal wild color) *argente (cinnamon or sandy) *albino Not all white hamsters are albino. White Campbell's Russians with black eyes are the product of the mutation of a self-color gene. However, when two white or spotted hamsters are bred, approximately 25% of the litter will be anopthalmic whites, lacking eyes and teeth. This lethal mutation is the product of the interaction between already-mutated genes. These pups generally do not live past 2 weeks. Marking types include: *spotted (also called mottled) *pearl (sometimes called platinum) **the hallmarks of this type include a dark dorsal stripe with colored ticking around the face and flanks *collared (white band around shoulders) Interbreeding of these pure types has produced new colors, including blue, blue fawn, lilac fawn, and black. Some self-colored hamsters now have a white spot at the neck, an indication of collared ancestors. Contrary to popular belief, the different colors and markings of hamsters do not indicate personality differences. Personality can be predicted, though, by a close examination of the bloodline and any neurological diseases its ancestors displayed. ---- Resources: #[http://www.hamsterific.com/RussianHamster.cfm Hamsterific's Dwarf Russian Hamsters] #"Popular Pets" series of Critter Magazine
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