Siberian Dwarf Hamster
The Siberian Dwarf Hamster is a small, cute, furry, sociable creature that originates in the grasslands of Siberia and Kazakhstan. It also has certain unique features that were developed in the wild. The most amazing of such traits, is the ability of this creature to change color for effective camouflage. Although their coats are really dark grey in color, in winter they grow a white coat in order to protect themselves from dangerous predators. Because of this ability to change color, the Siberian Dwarf Hamsters are also known as Winter Whites.
However, it is important to remember, that these hamsters will not necessarily change color if they are kept in a home environment as pets.
The reason is, the coat is sensitive to sunlight and changes color accordingly. Because the sunlight is less in winter, their coat is sensitive to this change in intensity of light, and therefore turns white. However, in captivity, the hamster may not be able to sense such changes in the intensity of sunlight, and therefore may not change color. There have been cases, however, where pet Siberian Dwarf Hamsters have changed color even in captivity.
The basic rule to be remembered while feeding a hamster is that it should always be given clean, hygienic food. Packaged food available in supermarkets can be given, especially since they provide all the essential nutrients required for the creature. However, if only natural food is to be given, it is important to ensure that this food constitutes a healthy combination of fruits, vegetables and seeds.
The Siberian Dwarf Hamsters love to peel and shred their food. Thus whole fruits and vegetables may also be placed in the cage. Some favorites are broccoli, apples, peas, and melons. You must remove the stale food from the cage regularly, or else the hamster will store the food in its mouth to eat it later, which may result in stomach infection or indigestion.
Siberian Hamsters also love water, so their water dish must be replaced with clean water from time to time. Since water dishes have a chance of getting dirty easily, hamster water bottles may therefore be used. These water bottles are hung mouth downwards in the hamster cage, so as to provide the Siberian Hamster with a clean supply of water at all times. While breeding, the Siberian Dwarf Hamsters should be paired carefully because both the good and bad qualities of the parents will be passed on to their babies, as well as both physical and mental attributes.