Syrian hamster

Syrian hamsters, also known as golden hamsters, panda bears or teddy bear hamsters, are one of the most popular domesticated hamster species. They are the largest domesticated breed at 5-7 inches long and  they weigh 120-200 grams. They are a solitary species, and could fight to death with other hamsters. If not, they could really stress. They come in many different colors, patterns and coat types. Syrian hamsters are normally easy to handle, but it depends on the hamster. 

Chinese hamster

Chinese hamsters originate from northen China and Mongolia. They are long and thin looking, similar to a mouse. They have a slightly longer tail than the other species. Chinese hamsters are usually 3-5 inches long and they weigh 30-45 grams. Like syrian hamsters, they are a solitary species. However, some states in America like California and New Jersey consider the chinese hamster as a pest so you would need a special permit to own one. 

Russian campbells dwarf

Cambells dwarfs are 3-4 inches long and they weigh 30-50 grams. They come in a different variety of colors and patterns, just like syrian hamsters. Often they are confused with winter white dwarfs. However, they have a brighter nose and a longer snout. These hamsters can be housed in pairs, but it is definetly not recommended. It can be difficult and it isn't necessary.

Winter white dwarf

Winter whites, also known as the siberian hamster, can change their coat color to white in the winter and during spring or summer, they get their real color back. Like the campbells dwarf, winter whites are 3-4 inches long and they weigh 30-50 grams. 

Hybrids (not species)

Because winter whites and cambell dwarfs are so similar, they might interbreed with eachother making a hybrid. These are the only 2 hamsters that can interbreed. It is not recommended to however. In stores, most hamsters labelled as winter whites are actually hybrids between the russian dwarf and winter white. 

Roborovski

The roborovski hamster is the smallest domesticated hamster. They are 1.5-2 inches long and they weigh 20-25 grams. Robos are famous for their white eyebrows above their eyes. Being the fastest domesticated hamster, they are the hardest to tame and so they aren't recommended for begginers. 

All of these species require the exact same care.

All of the information in this chapter is taken from Victoria Raechel's video called 'The five domesticated species of hamsters.' More infromation about this on first chapter.