The Roborovski hamster is the tiniest hamster in the entire hamster family, with an adult length of roughly 2 inches (5 cm). Their small size makes them agile, and they are one of the few types of hamsters that can share a cage with another companion without getting into any fights. This breed was first found in the late 19th century in parts of northern China and Mongolia. They can easily survive in hot desert climates.
The Roborovski hamster has a limited variety of color patterns, and they are also considered to be a dwarf hamster. The most common color is agouti, which is a term that describes a gray back, white underside and a fawn. Some Roborovski hamsters’ white color reaches up from the underbelly all the way to the neck and over the face, and this is colloquially referred to as white-faced. Even rarer is a paler version of the agouti coloring or a nearly completely white body. Differing from albinos, these hamsters still have black eyes.
Sometimes the Roborovski hamster can be difficult to handle since their small size makes them very fast and capable of escaping from cages or hands, plus the fact that they are generally cautious creatures. When selecting a cage for them, avoid wire mesh cages since they can squeeze through the small gaps between wires. Fish aquariums or even just plastic bins are better since there are no openings in the walls, however you must make sure they are receiving enough fresh air or else they will overheat. Being the social creatures that they are, placing pairs of the same gender in a cage is a good idea, however there is still a possibility that any play fighting might become serious. The most successful pairs are siblings of the same gender.
On average, a Roborovski hamster can live up to four years if they are healthy and lived in good conditions. However, these hamsters are also affected by some of the same diseases that larger breeds can contract, like mites and wet tail. The most common way diseases are spread is coming into contact with another infected hamster, so before putting hamsters into the same cage, make sure that they are clean and healthy. Fortunately, Roborovski hamsters are some of the cleanest breeds, and they will regularly groom themselves and their companions. If given a box of dust, they will clean themselves regularly. They will also rearrange their living area so that there are separate areas for sleeping, storing food, and going to the bathroom. Furthermore, their droppings and fur release no dander, so those with allergies can rest assured that they aren’t being negatively affected.
It is very easy to breed Roborovski hamsters in captivity. Females can have litters of up to nine babies. Babies grow very quickly and can be weaned from their mother at the age of three weeks old. Hamsters of opposite genders should be kept separate, or else inbreeding will result, leading to health problems and genetic defects. However, pairs of the same gender can be kept in the same cage, often for life.