Chinese hamsters usually grow half the size of a dwarf hamster. Their size ranges from 7 to 9 centimetres long. They are known for having long tails and are typically thin. They are called Chinese hamsters because they originated in China and along the dry deserts of Mongolia. They resemble a rat-like feature and weigh approximately 20 to 40 grams.

Kinds of Chinese Hamsters

Chinese Hamsters have three colour classifications.

1. Dominant Spot. These Chinese hamsters can be easily distinguished through their dominant patches and coloured spots found on their body’s surface. Their belly fur is also white in colour from the belly surface down to the roots.

2. Black Eyed White. This breed of Chinese hamster comes very rare and is known for their dominant spot. It is believed that this breed is originally from the United Kingdom.

3. Normal or Wild Type. This class of Chinese hamsters are called “normal” because they carry the most common colour of their breed—brown on top, with the black dorsal lining and off-white belly colour.

How to Take Care of Chinese Hamsters

For quite some time, Chinese hamsters were regarded as pests in some countries in the US and nobody is allowed to neither own them nor train them as pets. They have also been regarded as laboratory animals–being the ultimate victim of experiments. But behind these alarming issues, pet lovers still opt to domesticate Chinese hamsters because of their unique characteristics. Their breed is extremely agile. They can easily find an easy exit and can even climb heights if the cages are not properly walled. The aquarium-type cage is advisable for this variety. Chinese hamster owners who have these types of hamsters find them challenging to have because it takes really some time to tame them. Their life span could reach two-three years.

Like any other hamsters, Chinese hamsters are being fed preferably with seeds, veggies, crickets and fresh water. Others give mealworms and wheat bread for a special dines. Still others choose giving them with a readily-available hamster mix from pet stores. You may also give them food varieties but you only have to make sure that the given food won’t be too watery for them not to acquire diarrhea like the other hamster that are prone with this kind of illness.

Also, the female Chinese hamsters are more powerful and dominant on this kind. So, putting both male and female gender in a single cage is something to reconsider. Separating them the females is more advisable because they might end up in a fight with the males. The female Chinese hamster would possibly hurt the male ones; worse, they might kill them if not monitored properly.

Each of the kind of hamsters has their own unique characteristics that attract hamster lovers. Chinese hamsters may have been treated as pests and laboratory subjects but through time, they also have proven themselves to be cuddly and lovable like other hamsters of their kind.