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| − | {{Taxobox_begin | color=pink | name=Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster}}
| + | These animals grow to between 7.5 and 9cm in length. Their body proportions, compared with those of other hamsters, appear "long and thin" and they have, (for a hamster), a relatively long tail. Chinese hamsters are not, technically, "Dwarf" hamsters since this term refers to animals in the genus Phodopus, (the two types of Russian Dwarf hamsters and Roborovskii's Dwarf hamsters). The wild colour is greyish brown above with a black stripe down the spine and a whitish belly. This colouration, combined with their lithe build and longer tail, makes them look "mousy" to some eyes and, in fact, they are members of the group called "mouse like" hamsters. However, they have quiet temperaments and are easily handled; one of their endearing traits is that of clinging to a finger with all four paws, rather like a harvest mouse on a corn stalk. Chinese hamsters can be quite nervous as youngsters but, once they are tame, display an endearing calmness and gentleness of character. They originate in the deserts of Southern China and Mongolia. |
| − | {{Taxobox image | image = [[Image:Phodopus_sungorus.jpg|250px]] | caption = Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster, normal color}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_begin_placement | color = pink}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_regnum_entry | taxon = [[Animal]]ia}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_phylum_entry | taxon = [[Chordate|Chordata]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_classis_entry | taxon = [[Mammal]]ia}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_ordo_entry | taxon = [[Rodentia]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_subordo_entry | taxon=[[Sciurognathi]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_infraordo_entry | taxon=[[Myodonta]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_superfamilia_entry | taxon = [[Muroidea]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_familia_entry | taxon = [[Cricetidae]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_subfamilia_entry | taxon = [[Cricetinae]]}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_genus_entry | taxon=''[[Phodopus]]''}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_end_placement}}
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| − | {{Taxobox_section_subdivision | color = pink |plural_taxon= Binomial name}}
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| − | *''Phodopus sungorus''
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| − | *''Phodopus sungorus sungorus''
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| − | (see text) | |
| − | {{Taxobox_end}}
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| − | '''Winter White Russian hamsters''' are a species of [[hamster]] in the genus ''[[Phodopus]]''. They are typically half the size of the better-known [[Syrian hamster]], and therefore called dwarf hamsters along with all ''Phodopus'' species. Features include a typically dark grey dorsal stripe and furry feet. The tail is so short that it hardly shows if the hamster is sitting. In the winter, Winter Whites can turn almost completely white, hence the name Winter White. This is due to a reduction of '''sunlight''', in Winter, there is less light, this causes the hamsters coat to change completely white, this is to help them evade predators in the snow covered Steppes of winter.
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| − | Up until recently, it was debated wether the Winter White hamster was a sub-species of the Campbells (''Phodopus campbelli'') or not, however, it has now been proven that the Winter whites are of their own species ''Phodopus sungorus''.
| + | {{mammal-stub}} |
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| − | ==Winter White Russian hamsters as pets==
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| − | They are often found on the [[pet]] market, in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] more so than in the [[US]]. Care is similar to that of the Campbells [[hamster]]. Winter White hamsters generally make excellent pets, however, a larger Syrian [[hamster]] would be more suitable for younger childeren as they can be handled more clumsily. Winter White hamsters should not be fed food containing sources of [[simple sugar]] because of the risk of developing [[diabetes mellitus]].
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| − | Winter White's, like their close relatives the Campbell's, can be housed together in pairs or trio's, or perhaps more. They enjoy each others company and are possibly the most communal hamsters in terms of living arrangements.
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| − | In general, dwarf hamsters typically have more of a family structure than the Syrian hamster. Dwarf hamsters will happily live in mated pairs, with both male and female caring for the young, but some report that same-sex pairs and larger groups will rarely get along well, as they wouldn't live together like that in nature. Frequent fighting may occur and be a great distress for them, or even lead to deadly incidents. This is in contrast to the Campbell's species and remains an item of dispute among hamster owners.
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| − | Winter White hamsters used to be only available in their typical Brown/black "Normal" color, but they are now available in a variety of colors. Colors include at least normal (dark grey/brown), pearl normal, sapphire and pearl sapphire variations. However, these colors may be difficult to find, and the number of available colors is much smaller than in the dwarf Campell's hamster.
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | * [http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_winter_white_russian_hamsters.htm PetWebSite pages on Winter Whites]
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| | [[Category:Hamsters]] | | [[Category:Hamsters]] |
| − | [[Category:Animals kept as pets]] | + | [[fr:Cricetulus]] |
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| − | [[de:Dsungarischer Zwerghamster]]
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| − | [[fi:Venäjänkääpiöhamsteri]]
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| − | [[ja:ジャンガリアンハムスター]]
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| − | [[nl:Russische dwerghamster]]
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These animals grow to between 7.5 and 9cm in length. Their body proportions, compared with those of other hamsters, appear "long and thin" and they have, (for a hamster), a relatively long tail. Chinese hamsters are not, technically, "Dwarf" hamsters since this term refers to animals in the genus Phodopus, (the two types of Russian Dwarf hamsters and Roborovskii's Dwarf hamsters). The wild colour is greyish brown above with a black stripe down the spine and a whitish belly. This colouration, combined with their lithe build and longer tail, makes them look "mousy" to some eyes and, in fact, they are members of the group called "mouse like" hamsters. However, they have quiet temperaments and are easily handled; one of their endearing traits is that of clinging to a finger with all four paws, rather like a harvest mouse on a corn stalk. Chinese hamsters can be quite nervous as youngsters but, once they are tame, display an endearing calmness and gentleness of character. They originate in the deserts of Southern China and Mongolia.
Template:Mammal-stub
fr:Cricetulus
