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General Information
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Common Names: Roborovski Hamster, Robo Dwarf Hamster
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Scientific Name: Phodopus roborovskii
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Family: Cricetidae
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Origin/Range: Deserts and semi-deserts of Mongolia, northern China, Kazakhstan, and Russia
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Habitat: Sandy steppes, grasslands, and desert edges—burrows underground to escape extreme temperatures
🔹 Physical Description
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Size: 4.5–5.5 cm (1.7–2.2 in) – smallest hamster species
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Weight: 20–25 g (0.7–0.9 oz)
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Build: Tiny, round body with short legs and tail
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Coat:
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Sandy brown or golden on top with white belly
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Distinctive white “eyebrows”/eye spots above each eye
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Thick, soft fur adapted to desert climates
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Lifespan: 2–3.5 years in captivity (shorter in the wild)
🔹 Behavior & Lifestyle
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Activity: Nocturnal/crepuscular, most active at night and twilight
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Social Structure: More social than many hamsters—can sometimes live in same-sex groups or pairs if introduced young, but fights can still occur
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Personality:
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Very fast, active, and playful
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Shy and not naturally cuddly—best for watching rather than handling
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Locomotion: Known as the fastest hamster—can run up to 100 wheel revolutions per minute!
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Communication: Use high-pitched squeaks, scent glands, and body language
🔹 Diet
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Type: Omnivores
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Wild Diet: Seeds, grains, small insects, roots, and desert vegetation
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Captive Diet:
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Commercial dwarf hamster mix (grains, seeds, pellets)
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Fresh vegetables (carrot, cucumber, zucchini, spinach in moderation)
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Occasional protein (mealworms, boiled egg)
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Avoid: Sugary fruits and processed foods (they are prone to obesity and diabetes)
🔹 Reproduction
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Maturity: 2–3 months old
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Breeding Season: April–September in the wild; year-round in captivity
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Gestation Period: ~20–22 days
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Litter Size: 3–7 pups (sometimes up to 9)
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Development:
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Born hairless and blind
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Fur develops by 7–10 days
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Eyes open at 14–15 days
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Weaned at ~3 weeks
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🔹 Predators & Threats
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Predators: Owls, hawks, foxes, snakes, and wild cats
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Conservation Status: Least Concern (stable populations in native range)
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Threats: Habitat destruction and predation in the wild
Inquiry - ROBOROVSKI HAMSTER
