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