|
Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster
(Phodopus sungoris campbelli)
Description
Approximately 10-12cm in length when full grown. They have round,
plump little bodies, small ears, large eyes, tiny feet and just a
little stub of a tail. Wild colored individuals have a stripe down
their back, which can sometimes be seen even in color mutations.
Diet
They can also be maintained on a diet of lab blocks, and rat or
mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or
wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed
chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may
enjoy crickets and mealworms as treats, but never too many.
Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and
added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their
systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water
bottles are better then bowls, as these little guys love to dig in
their bedding, and much of it seems to always end up in the bowl.
Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or
fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows the
hamsters to eat the lab blocks through without them falling is also
a good idea.
Habitat
Dwarf hamsters are very communal little animals. They really need to
have at least one constant companion, and the housing should be
large enough to allow for this. Same sex pairs are fine, so long as
they are introduced very young. Opposite pairs will also be okay,
but remember that these little guys can, and will, breed as fast as
mice!
When shopping for your Campbell's, you can pretty much assume that
if the cage is large enough for a big mouse, it will be large enough
for your dwarf. They will thrive in a simple ten gallon tank, with a
small wodent wheel to amuse them, and a wooden house to play on and
chew. Pvc pipe tunnels, wooden ramps and structures, branches, rope
swings, etc., will all keep your dwarves entertained when you can't
be with them.
Bedding should be aspen, paper based, or hay. Try to avoid using
cedar or pine.
Special needs
Dwarf hamsters are relatively good first pets for mature owners, as
they have very little in the way of special care. Just a draft free
home with plenty of fresh food and water, and some chew toys, will
keep them happy.
Personality
Attitude - Very curious, energetic, more prone to bite then Syrians
Tame-ability - Fair to Good if started young
Trainability - Fair, simple tricks like taking food from your hand
Activity level - Very high
Vocal - A whirring, rattle sound when frightened or upset
Minimum owner's age - 12
Reproduction
Lifespan - 1 1/2- 2 years
Maturity 3-4 weeks
Sexual maturity 2-3 months
Receptive every few days, also post birth
Gestation 18-21 days
Infants show color pigment at 4-6 days
Infants can be handled at 2 weeks
Infant eyes open at 16 days
Ready to wean at 3-4 weeks
Mutations
There are six basic color mutations, from which eleven additional
colors can be bred. These can also be modified slightly by the
presence of umbrous (darkening) or dilute (lightening) genes.
Coat mutations include satin, mottled, platinum, wavy, and rex. Some
breeders have now produced brindled Campbell's, but the lines have
not yet been stabilized.
Pet Status
Relatively common
|
