What's Your Favourite species?

Cotton · 04-06-2019, 06:29 PM

I enjoy reading about everyone's hamsters. I am interested in hearing if any of you have a favourite species of hamster and why. (Or maybe you don't have a favourite?)

I've had only my Roborovski, Finnegan, and two previous dwarf hamsters, Haiku and Zoey. No favourites...enjoyable in different ways.

I have been checking two local shelter websites to adopt a Syrian. I suspect that owning a Syrian will be considerably different because of size and, possibly, personality. (Saw a Chinese hamster only once and the cutie reminded me of a little squirrel for some reason, although the two are very different.)

Do you have a favourite?

Pebbles82 · 04-07-2019, 03:09 AM

I don't think I have a favourite but I do like having a Robo and a Syrian at the same time! Although our Robo isn't really handleable, he is really interesting - see him out and about 2 or 3 times a day, he stops for a chat, makes funny noises digging underground and is fun to watch on his wheel. He is also very good at regularly keeping his teeth and claws trim and chews and grinds away at wood and cork.

Our Syrian - I see much less of. He only likes to come out in the evening about every 3 days (although when he was a baby he wanted to be out every night). He is hand tame and handleable but more interested in running around exploring.

So on the plus side you can hold and stroke him and see him out of the cage more. On the other hand - I can go days without seeing much of him when he only comes out of his house for food.

alpacassei · 04-07-2019, 07:33 AM

Russian dwarfs are definitely my favourites, I love both species: Winter White and Campbells, as well as hybrids

There’s just something about their personalities and and temperament that makes me bond with them more than the others. I love all species of hamsters a lot, but Russian dwarfs will always have a special place in my heart.

mangoandmimi · 04-07-2019, 08:09 AM

My ‘favourite’ seems to change over the years but I especially adore winter whites for their personality, they are such sweethearts. Chinese too they are the sweetest and I would love to get another but they’re quite difficult to get hold of now unfortunately. Of course robos have a special place in my heart too I can never seem to go long without one, they are so precious and fun to have around. My robos seem to have been more low maintenance than other species which fits into my life well at the moment. Not had a Syrian in some time due to the time and space they take up but they’re so rewarding and I’ve formed some of the best bonds with my past Syrians. Not that that particularly answers which my favourite is but it’s exceptionally hard to choose!

Vectis Hamstery · 04-07-2019, 08:58 AM

Chinese are my favourite

I like Syrians and do miss it when I don't have a robo, but it's always Chinese for me. I've not been without one in 12 years!

hisnameispip · 04-07-2019, 09:52 AM

Syrians are lovely little creatures

my sister and I each had one growing up, and now I have Pip! Also, my 12-year-old cousin recently asked me about possibly getting a hamster and I have recommended a Syrian for her as well. They have very sweet temperaments and are a joy to be around once tamed.

I also have to say that Chinese dwarfs are sweet too. I recently babysat my neighbor's two daughters and they have a cute little one named Waffle and he was the sweetest little thing, fully tamed and enjoys sitting in sweater pockets

Karinalara89 · 04-07-2019, 10:43 PM

My favorite are the Syrians

<3but I do like all species of hamster. I’ve had Syrians and Russian dwarfs growing up. I’ve never had robos before(and now I do) and they are super cute! but so shy.

cypher · 04-10-2019, 08:22 AM

I couldn't really choose between the two or say exactly why they're my favourites but it has to be Chinese & Russians for me.

Shannonmcn · 04-11-2019, 02:49 AM

Tiny hams make me nervous, I am getting over it and I do currently have a fairly tiny little dwarf but when she's in my hand all I can think about is how she's so so very tiny and delicate and breakable. It's a lot of pressure to keep such a small precious thing safe.

My first 4 hams were all female syrians so that's what I'm used to and that's what I think I'll always love best. Chunky, feisty, stubborn girls who really only need me for the paycheck that brings the peanuts <3

Fluffagrams · 04-12-2019, 10:36 AM

I think that every species of hamster are cute in their own way but I am very much a Chinesey person. In the last 7 years, I've had Chinese fairly exclusively and I think that they can be such characters but one thing is for certain, mine know what they like and they like them to be in their proper place.

Generally speaking, I'd say that it's the Syrians that I'd be least likely to keep as a pet. I'm far more at ease with handling the dwarf species because that's what I'm most used to. I tend to be a little bit awkward with handling anything bigger.