Campbell's dwarf hamster

Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) is a species of hamster that was named in honor of Charles William Campbell, who collected the first specimen in Mongolia in 1902. This small rodent looks very similar to another type called the Winter white dwarf hamster, but one way to tell them apart is that Campbell's dwarf hamster often has a narrow dorsal stripe and brown or gray fur on its stomach. People can keep these hamsters as small pets in captivity, where they are easy to care for and enjoy exploring.

In the wild, Campbell's dwarf hamsters live in burrows with many tunnels in the steppes and semi deserts of central Asia, including places like the Altai Mountains, parts of Tuva, and the Hebei province in northeastern China. These hamsters are active during dawn and dusk and eat both plants and insects. They breed during different times of the year depending on where they live, but in captivity they can have babies almost any time.

Campbell's dwarf hamster is considered to be of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This means that in the wild, the species is doing well and is found in several countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation. These little hamsters are interesting pets and also important for learning about nature in Asia.

Taxonomy and naming

The binomial name of Campbell's dwarf hamster is Phodopus campbelli. It was named after C. W. Campbell, who first collected it on July 1, 1902, in Inner Mongolia. Campbell's dwarf hamster is often confused with the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) because they share some common names, such as the Siberian hamster.

American biologist Ned Hollister described a subspecies in 1912:

• P. c. crepidatus : Found in the Altai Mountains of Siberia

Description

Campbell's dwarf hamsters are small creatures whose size can vary depending on where they live. For example, those found in the wild in Mongolia usually measure about 80 mm (3.1 in) from head to body, with a tiny tail of just 5 mm (0.20 in). Those kept as pets tend to grow a bit larger because they have more nutritious food.

These hamsters have white fur on their lips and cheeks, and their faces can be either grey or brown. They have a dark stripe running along their back. They use special glands and their urine to mark their areas and communicate with others. Unlike similar hamsters, Campbell's dwarf hamsters have smaller ears, no dark patch on the top of their head, and a narrower back stripe. They also have special cheek pouches that stretch all the way to their rear legs, which they use to carry food.

Diet

Campbell's dwarf hamsters eat a variety of foods. Their diet should include about 16-24% protein, 60-65% carbohydrates, and 5–7% fat, along with fresh water every day. In the wild, they mostly eat plants, but in cages, they can eat special hamster food made from grains, nuts, and seeds.

Besides their regular food, they can enjoy fresh vegetables like kale and fruits, as well as small amounts of protein-rich foods like mealworms or earthworms. It's important to give them things to chew on, like smooth wood from apple or willow, to keep their teeth healthy. Some human foods, like chocolate, are harmful to hamsters and should never be given to them.

Breeding

Campbell's dwarf hamsters in Tuva start their breeding season in April, while in Mongolia it begins in late April or early May. In the wild, breeding ends in late September or early October, but in captivity, they breed throughout the year, especially in the summer. Wild hamsters usually have three to four litters a year with about eight babies each, while captive females can have up to 18 litters a year with one to nine babies per litter. The pregnancy lasts between 18 and 20 days, though it can be as short as 13 days in captivity. Males often help the females during birth by assisting with the babies.

When born, the babies are hairless and weigh about 1.5 grams, with their eyes and ears closed. Their fur starts growing after a few days, and they develop quickly. In captivity, they grow a bit faster than in the wild. Females become ready to mate at two months old.

Hybrids

Campbell's dwarf hamsters can breed with another type called P. sungorus in captivity, creating hybrid hamsters. While these hybrids can make pets, breeding them can cause health issues due to inherited problems. This can threaten the pure species and might lead to their extinction over time. The hybrid offspring often have reduced fertility, and depending on which parent is which, some embryos may not develop properly.

Distribution and habitat

Campbell's dwarf hamsters live in burrows in the steppes and semideserts of central Asia, the Altai Mountains, autonomous areas of Tuva, and the Hebei province in northeastern China. Their burrows have several tunnels and can be quite deep. Sometimes, they share these burrows with other small animals, like Daurian pikas, to avoid digging new ones.

These hamsters can also be found close to human homes, such as inside yurts in Mongolia, where they stay warm during winter. They have several predators, including owls and foxes, and in all areas, there are more female hamsters than males because males face higher risks from predators.

Status and conservation

This hamster is listed as of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has a large population and no major threats. However, some burrows might be at risk from increasing livestock in areas like the steppes of central Asia. In drier areas, fewer water sources could also be a small concern. These hamsters are protected in some areas.