Many people prefer dwarf hamsters to larger Syrian hamsters because they are told that they can keep more than one per cage. Although dwarf hamsters (with the exception of the Chinese dwarf hamster) can live in pairs or small colonies, these dwarf hamsters may suddenly pick a fight and may have to be housed separately.
What Species Is This?
There does not seem to be a general consensus on just what a “Siberian” dwarf hamster is, even though there are an awful lot of them sold. Siberian dwarf hamsters are also known as winter white dwarfs or striped dwarf hamsters, although many pet stores and websites also call Russian dwarf hamsters “Siberian” (as well as Djungarian or Campbell’s.) Siberain seems to be just one of a multitude of names for Phodopus sungorus.
When not in their silvery winter coats, Siberian hamsters closely resemble Russian dwarfs and can mistakenly be sold as the wrong species. These species live in harsh arid environments where it was basically every hamster for itself. They do not get along with other hamster species. Although Siberians and Russians will fight, males and females of the two species can breed, although their offspring is sterile.
Sex
Two adult male Siberian dwarf hamsters will almost always fight. They want the females for themselves. But an older male hamster will not attack a newborn male pup. Siberian males will participate in the rearing of young until the pups are weaned, according to Hamsteriffic.com.
Winter white females may harass the male to leave her alone for the first few days, so this may appear as fighting. But after a few days, the male begins cleaning and feeding the pups just as much as the female.
Lack of Space
If there are too many dwarf hamsters in too small a space, they will fight. This is probably due to stress of having to share resources. Wild dwarf hamster families are used to living miles apart so crowding is never an issue.
More hamsters in one cage means more mess, which can also stress the hamsters out and predispose them to illness. The Humane Society of the United States recommends that all pet hamsters need a home of at least two square feet.
Age
Ideally, Siberian dwarf hamsters that are going to live together need to be introduced to each other before they are eight weeks old, according to Sharon Vanderlip, DVM and hamster book and pet article author.
Individuality
Training Your Pet Hamster (Barron’s; 2002) notes that dwarf hamster friends can suddenly dislike each other for seemingly no reason. They have complex social lives which seem to include grudges or the ability to take offence. These hamsters will have to be separated and live apart if the fight results in wounds.
Additional References:
Hamsters. Nancy Ferris, et al. Bow Tie Press; 2008.
Training Your Pet Hamster. Gerry Bucsis & Barbara Somerville. Barron’s; 2002.
The Hamster Handbook. Patricia Pope Bartlett, et al. Barron’s Educational Series; 2003.
“Hamsters: Syrian & Russian Dwarf Hamsters.” Nancy Ferris. “American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association Rat & Mouse Tails Magazine.” Summer 1998.
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