Hi guys!

jdawg1602 · 03-09-2005, 04:02 PM

Hi guys...I'm new here. My name is Jenn.

I am 21 and I have 2 hamsters.

My first hamster is a female dwarf named Nevaeh. She is fiesty, but precious. She loves carrots and running on her wheel, oh yea and hates me but loves my boyfriend.

My second hamster is a male dwarf named Punkin. He is the sweet and docile one. He loves to cuddle and lick my fingers. He also loves cucumbers. He is younger than Nevie.

Ok so i have a couple of questions. I was told that they were Siberian dwarf hamsters by Petco(where I bought them) but from looking at this website I think they look more like Campbell's. Are they the same type with a different name? Or have I been misinformed? How can I tell for sure what kind of hamster they are?

Also, I was reading about how hamsters teeth can become too long and I was wondering how to check them. I tried holding them by the nape of their necks and supporting their bottoms but Punkin squirmed away without showing me his teeth, and Nevaeh bit me. IS there another way that I can check them without hurting them or making them angry?

Any advice you guys could provide is greatly appreciated! :P

hammydude · 03-09-2005, 04:28 PM

Welcome Jenn! :P I'm sorry but I can't really give too much advice on dwarfs because I currently don't own one.As far as their teeth go they should be fine unless they are having trouble eating.The way I check my hamster's teeth is by first getting a piece of their fav. treat,take the treat and hold it above the hamsters head so that they have to stand up.Keep bringing the treat up higher until they are standing up all of the way. Now hold it there they will open their mouth to get the treat,and while doing so you get to see their teeth. Also make sure you have some chew sticks in their cages that they can gnaw on.

jdawg1602 · 03-09-2005, 04:30 PM

Thank you! Much appreciated!

They both have chew sticks and salt wheels!

SnuggleHam · 03-09-2005, 06:32 PM

Hello Jen, I’m glad you managed to post something on the forum without to much complication!

I have seen the Siberian Hams Petco and Petsmart. The Siberian hamster is suppose to be another name for the WW (winter white dwarfs) But its also often labeled on the typical Campbell's hamster. Another common named used for the Campbell’s and WW is Djungarian “jung-gair-rian” Again most commonly placed on the Campbell’s though.

The 'original' color of the Dwarf Campbell’s Russian Hamster in the wild is brownish-gray with an ivory belly and has a darker line down the center of the back.

The winter white color characteristics are the same expect a WW coat will change white during the winter if its exposure to the natural light cycle of the outdoors.

Of course I believe both the Campbell’s and WW now come in a selection of different coat colors because of selective breeding. I honestly am not sure how to tell a Campbell’s from a WW, maybe someone else will respond with an idea.

I would guess that the one you bought it probably a Campbell’s. Maybe if you posted pictures?

Also about the nape hold. I think you can still do this, don’t let the squirming and squeaking fool you, I think they are just more upset then in pain. You just need to get a good firm hold on them and tip them back a bit on a angle hopfully this will cause them to stop moving or show their teeth..

My Hammydude’s suggestion with treats might be a good way to go also.

jdawg1602 · 03-09-2005, 06:35 PM

Thank you for inviting me to the forum! And thank you for the advice! Also, great website!

Emma · 03-09-2005, 06:36 PM

Hi jsawg welcome to Hamster Central.

Siberian is a name more often given to Winter White hamsters than Campbells, but many pet shop staff aren't even aware of the different types of dwarf hamster let alone have the ability to tell them apart, unfortunately.

The teeth - as long as they are eating fine, aren't wet around their mouths or have any obvious swellings, there shouldn't be any problems to check.

jdawg1602 · 03-09-2005, 06:37 PM

Great! Thanks a bunch!

**babyboos** · 03-10-2005, 01:57 PM

Hope you enjoy being a part of this great new hamster appreciation society :P

Siberian hamsters as the others have advised are an Americanism usually for Winter White Russian Dwarves, and indeed you may well have these as in their "normal" colour-way they are similiar to Campbells Russian Dwarves. One major giveaway would be the colour and then the body/head shape. If you could describe these and /or preferably post a few pictures from different angles then hopefully we should be able to let you know once and for all