The Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), also known as the "Russian Winter White dwarf hamster" is a species of hamster in the genus Phodopu. They are typically half the size of the better-known Golden Hamster/Syrian hamster, and therefore called a dwarf hamster along with all Phodopus species. Features include a typically thick dark grey dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows when the hamster is sitting. As winter approaches and the days shorten, the Siberian hamster's dark fur is almost entirely replaced with white fur (hence the name). In the wild, this adaptation helps them evade predators in the snow-covered steppes of winter. In captivity this does not always happen. They are mainly found in Dzungaria, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Manchuria. The average lifespan of this species is 1½ to 2½ years.
Djungarian hamsters are often found on the pet market, in Japan and Europe more so than in North America and indeed are rarely found in pet stores in Canada. Care is similar to that of the Campbell's Dwarf Hamster, although they are not as prone to diabetes. Djungarian hamsters make good pets for teens or adults, although they are not good with younger children unless that child is particularly sensible and supervised by adults when handling their pet. They are usually more friendly to humans than other hamsters, and are less likely to bite. Due to their poor eyesight, they are at risk for falling from a high surface or from a handler's hand. They should not be fed food containing sources of monosaccharides because of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus.
In general, dwarf hamsters have more of a family structure than the Syrian hamster. However, this may be a result of a frequent confusion of the Djungarian hamsters and the Campbell's hamsters. Current research suggests biparental care in Campbell's hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) but not in Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups do not always get along well and frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to death. Most Djungarian hamster dwarf hamsters grow to 3 to 4" long. In the winter their fur turns almost completely white. They usually breed between April and September.
There are several phases (colorations) of Djungarian hamsters: their normal (dark brownish-grey colouring) or sapphire (blue-grey colouring). A white pattern called pearl (white with coloured hairs) sometimes exists in either phase, producing the normal pearl or sapphire pearl forms. However, these colours may be difficult to find, and the range of colours is much narrower than in the case of the Campbell's.
Djungarian hamsters, also called Siberian hamsters, come from the steppes of Siberia and Kazakhstan and possess an adaptation not seen in Campbells: they can moult into a white winter coat. This camouflages them against the snow and also gives them their name. This moulting is brought on by the amount of day light; if the hamster is kept in an environment with is mediated through the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, the hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Short day lengths also triggers the regression of the gonads in both male and females, and thus Winter Whites become infertile. Because Winter White hamsters show such photoperiodic and seasonal changes in physiology and various behaviours, it is also used as a research model system for studying seasonality and photoperiodism.
Of the five species kept commonly as pets, only the Campbells and Djungarian hamsters are able to interbreed and produce live offspring (hybrids). Hybrids are most often unknowingly produced through incorrect identification of the two similar species of hamsters.
Although hybrids make suitable pets, the breeding of hybrids can cause health and breathing problems, and also the widespread breeding and distribution of hybrids could threaten the existence of both pure species in captivity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djungarian_hamster
