Difference between Winter white & Campbell personality

ShanRICK · 05-02-2016, 01:02 AM

Sorry I didn't know where to start this thread so I just went for the WW section.

So in the future (probably far future but I still like to plan ahead :P) I'm hoping to get another hammie, and was considering getting either a WW or Campbell. Only thing is there is a lot of information on the difference in colour of the two species but very little about personality difference. So I'm assuming they are fairly similar, but I have heard that WW are slightly more friendly and tameable (not sure how true this is though). I was wondering if any of you had any input.

At the moment I have a robo but I wanted another ham that is a little more tame so I can enjoy the differences between having a speedy ham and one that's a little more chilled out. I know most dwarfs are harder to tame, but I'm assuming after having a robo, another hamster species will seem a lot more chilled out to me just by comparison. Although I could be wrong as I'm only a hamster beginner :P

I know Syrians are the most tame but because of their size I thought it might be a little difficult since I couldnt buy toys and cage accessories that could be suitable for both of them. Also since Syrians are climbers and robos aren't.

cypher · 05-02-2016, 01:15 AM

I've only had hybrids so I can't answer from experience & I can't say I've ever found anything conclusive or evidence based about differences between the two.
All hams whatever species tend to have their own little characters (even robos that love to climb lol!) so I think it would be a good idea to find your breeders for both species & ask if you can just go & observe some hams to get a better idea of any differences there might be or which if either one appeals to you most.

Just wanted to add that generally I don't find dwarfs hard to tame, I think maybe some people have a bit of trouble with their size & speed but they really aren't that hard!

ShanRICK · 05-02-2016, 02:25 AM

Thanks for your reply. That's a good idea actually. I know there's a breeder near me who breeds both WW and Campbells. Lol my robo does actually like to climb. I have a lower substrate section with sand and I used a wooden bridge as a ramp to lead down there, which she never ever uses. She always scrambles up the side to climb out. & since the wheel is in the sand she likes leap from the higher section straight into the wheel and starts running which always makes me laugh, rather than climbing down into the sand area and getting into the wheel like you'd expect a normal hamster to do.

pinkneon · 05-02-2016, 05:11 AM

Hi, for a Syria you can get rat sized toys, and Pet Supplies at zooplus Online Pet Shop, Pet Food & Pet Accessories. do so good cages too

I've never owned any dwarf hamster so don't know much about personality, but I wonder if it is also to do with genetics? I mean, some Syrians don't ever like being handled either!

ShanRICK · 05-03-2016, 03:43 AM

Thanks for the links! Yeah I know you can get eat sized toys for Syrians, it's more just s case of me wanted to be able to buy toys that could suit both hamsters, rather than having to get very large things for a Syrian and small for a robo.

LumiZoomi · 05-26-2016, 04:20 PM

As a child, I raised hams and gerbils, and now that I'm an adult, I have two hams, a WW and and a Syrian. I never tried to tame mine as a kid, but recently, I was looking for a small companion. I got my WW, Lumi, two weeks before Beans (the Syrian). Lumi is very relaxed, very affectionate, and very curious. He was tame enough to crawl up my arms in a matter of just three or four weeks. On the other hand, my Syrian is very skittish and not very fond of humans. He takes treats and will walk over my hands, but he is flinchy if I move faster than he would like, and he's a biter. I was advised to get a Syrian first. Based off of my own experience, I would encourage you to get a WW. I only have positive things to say about mine. ��

cypher · 05-26-2016, 09:24 PM

LumiZoomi I think that probably just goes to show how different their personalities can be with any species!

ShanRICK · 05-30-2016, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the info! That's true, every animals personality is unique. When I get my next ham (which probably won't be for a while) I think I will go for WW, but if there's the options to choose between WWs and Campbells dwarf I will just go with the one that seems to be the friendliest!

Well when I got my robo they all looked so similar, but I watched them for a while. When the p@h staff member went into the cage to take out the toys I just asked for the one that was chilling and nibbling in the food bowl at the front of the cage rather than the ones that were getting freaked out and hiding :P