What kind of hamster is this? Answer Fast Please

[DarkSpectriality]

I think that it might be a hybrid, the seller said its a Gonzales?

[WinnieTheHam]

Hybrid dwarf. There's no such thing as a Gonzales hamster species. If the breeder doesn't know what they're dealing with I personally wouldn't purchase from them.

Edit: A Hybrid is a crossbred animal, usually between a Campbell and Winter white hamster. It is highly advised against. All dwarf species supplied by pet shops or breeders that get their supply from pet shops and don't have a pedigree will be Hybrid.

[DarkSpectriality]

how can you know if its hybrid?

[WinnieTheHam]

Originally Posted by DarkSpectriality

how can you know if its hybrid?

If it doesn't come with pedigree papers then it will be a Hybrid.

[CMB]

It could be a roborovski (robo) hamster. Smaller than Campbell’s, Winter White or hybrid dwarf.

Do you have the hamster? Do you know how old it is? How big is it? This information could help identify the species.

Robo hamsters run extra fast, which could be why they said Gonzales hamster. The cartoon character Speedy Gonzales was a mouse who ran extra fast.

[Pebbles82]

Hard to tell from that photo without seeing the face - it could be a robo or it could be a baby russian dwarf.

Almost all dwarf hamsters are hybrids - because of many years of inter-breeding. It won't be a pure Campbells Russian Dwarf or a Pure Winter White Russian dwarf unless the breeder breeds pedigree hamsters (and there will be paperwork for that).

Hybrid dwarf hamsters still make lovely pets but there are things to be aware of - they can be prone to diabetes and there are dietary considerations. Sometimes they can develop other illnesses or not live quite a full life due to the mixed genetics over time. But some people have healthy hybrid dwarf hamsters who live to a full age without much issue. It's just something to be aware of.

Roborovski's are a species of their own - the smallest dwarf hamster and are less prone to health issues - although they can have a genetic neurological condition that causes "spinning" - you would know about that if you saw it.

[Pebbles82]

Couldn't find anything on Google about Gonzales hamsters!

[CMB]

I though it may be a made up name. Like Teddy Bear hamsters.

[Pebbles82]

Colouring suggests it's a winter white dwarf hamster (but probably still a hybrid even if it looks like a winter white. Hybrids can look like either a Campbells or a Winter White but have genes from both species). Have a look at this link - scroll down the page - the colourings and markings of the winter white are very similar. So unlikely to be a Roborovski.

The White Hamster • Hamsterific!

Yes CMB it does sound like a made up name like Teddy Bear hamster but can't think why a hybrid would be speedy Gonzales lol.

Ask the breeder again what it is!

[DarkSpectriality]

It's about 3 weeks old I don't own it. In Turkey, all pet shop workers and all breeders call dwarf hamsters gonzales but you can't really know its species without guessing.

EDIT: If its a syrian, they call it just Hamster, as if they are two different species