What is the difference between Syrian hamsters, gerbils and Russian Dwarf hamsters?

rockstar11p · 03-01-2013, 09:44 PM

I had my 2 hamsters Jojo and Sonny who passed away last year. My mom and I are switching houses within the next month or 2 and I really want to get something furry back in that aquarium. I was considering dwarf hamsters, gerbils or good ole Syrians. The rescue nearby usually only has Syrians but this time both male and female gerbils and dwarf hamsters are there. I heard dwarf hamsters usually don't like being held. My Syrians weren't too fond of it, but Jojo didn't wiggle much at all. Overall it was more about if they are going to be scared of me. I can either get 2 or 3 dwarf hamsters, 2 gerbils or they have one male syrian up for adoption.

I'm considering the gerbils and dwarf hamsters but I'd like to know a little bit more about their temperament on what to expect.

Eriklover555 · 03-01-2013, 10:56 PM

Okay, from my research, untamed Campbell's can be bitey, especially if you're picking them up out of their cage. Mine calm right down once their held, though. Winter White's are said to be less inclined to bite. Chinese and Robos are very quick, but as long as you know that, they make wonderful pets, I'm told. Syrians stay tamed no matter how neglectful the environment, while dwarf hamsters can be un-tamed when not handled regularly.

Two dwarves are usually the way to go in a group, and Campbell's, WWs, or Hybrids have the best success in that kind of group. Teenaged Robos can fall out when they hit their "teenage" phase. All dwarves can change their group dynamics and end up fighting, though, so you should have a backup plan in case of that. I have not heard about Chinese Dwarf Hamster group dynamics, so I can't give you any advice there.

I don't know a thing about Gerbils, sorry

I'm sure someone will post soon with advice ;P

evel_lin · 03-02-2013, 01:04 AM

What sort of dwarf hamsters are they because robos, chinese, winter whites, campbells and hybrids can all be very different.

FWIW my hybrid is my most sociable hamster. She's the only one who comes up to the bars to see what you're up to beg to come out. The boys can be tempted out with food and are fine once they're out but Snowy is definitely more into people

rockstar11p · 03-02-2013, 12:03 PM

They are just russian dwarf hamsters. They are white but with a tinge of grey on the dorsal. I presume they are either winter whites, campbells, or hybrids :P

HollyHamster · 03-02-2013, 07:14 PM

They are most likely hybrids, not being from a breeder. However, I could be wrong.

I personally love Syrians. They are just the sweetest, cuddliest, and cutest things!! <3

SprinkleHamster · 03-02-2013, 07:27 PM

We had gerbils as a kid and they were kinda awful. Mostly because we were kids and my mom had no idea how to care for them and neither did we. They do require a secure cage (ours always found away out somehow). They are social little things and are happy in same sex pairs otherwise you can quickly find you have 30 gerbils when you had originally only wanted 2. They require a lot of patience in taming, and if you pull their tails and they feel threatned their tails will come off. My little brother (He would have been like 6 at the time) had the male gerbil (we called him donny) upside down with the tail in one hand asking my dad to glue it back on. Some people absolutly love gerbils. They are active both during the day and at night. They will happily eat any paper product to make bedding. Give them a toliet paper roll and it will be chewed to pieces in hours.
Here are some links to help care and find out info on them: The Humane Society Gerbils : The Humane Society of the United States The American Gerbil Society AGS Gerbils Home and here was a pros and cons of Hamsters vs Gerbils from ABC Gerbils: gerbil - gerbil versus hamster

We personally are having much better relationship with our hamster than the fiesty engergetic gerbils.

strawberrysmom · 03-02-2013, 08:10 PM

4-5 gerbils in a 20 gallon according to the Humane Society? That is a joke. A mean joke. I cannot fathom cramming that many gerbils in such a small tank.

They deserve and require as much space as hamsters if not more - they are active day and night, love tunneling in deep layers - 7-8 or more inches of substrate and climbing (driftwood is a great addition to any gerbil tank) and are absolutely delightful creatures even if they aren't tame.

I watch them like my favorite television channel during the morning with my coffee.

That website makes me angry.

Syrian hamsters are my favorite of the hamsters species. Though I love each species for their uniqueness - but the Syrians are just the *it* hamster for me.

**DrKMcK** · 03-02-2013, 08:19 PM

I love each animal for their own special characteristics. Gerbils are fearless, curious and friendly little critters from the get go. Hammies require time and gentleness before you earn their trust. But both make great little friends, which is why I often have both at the same time.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 03-03-2013, 05:44 AM

One thing to remember with dwarf hamsters, if you get any dwarf hams you need to have more than one cage avaliable - every single dwarf hamster pair/group can fall out at any moment in their lives together. If that happens every single dwarf hamster in the pair/group could need to live alone sooner or later and that requires extra cages.
Some of our hybrids are our most sociable hams, but every ham has a unique personality and every ham will be different.