Behavior

Winter White hamsters look very similar to Campbell's Russian hamsters during the spring and summer seasons, but there is one very distinct difference. In the winter, their fur turns white. This is where the name "Winter White" hamster came from. They most likely do this to become camouflage in the snow. But these are not to be confused with pearl white Roborivski hamsters, as Winter White hamsters are quite a bit bigger.

Homes And Habitats

Telling The Difference

Winter White hamsters are actually very social. They prefer a little buddy with them to keep them company. However, they are very shy when it comes to people, and may not open up right away.

History

Winter White hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), commonly called by their nicknames "Djungarian Hamsters" and "Siberian Hamsters", are one of the three hamster species in the genus Phodopus. They were first recorded in 1770 and in the 1960s  were bred as laboratory animals by Klaus Hofmann. They were introduced in the pet market in 1978.

Lifespan

In the wild, they originate from Dzungaria, the meadows of Mongolia, Siberia, the birch stands of Manchuria, and the wheat fields of Kazakhstan. They are common pets in Europe and North America.

Winter White hamsters, on average, live for about two years. Though, some owners have stated that their hamster lived for double the normal time.

Appearance

Although the Campbell's and the Winter White hamster look very similar, they are still two completely different species. Just from looking at the two images, you can see that the Campbell's hamster has a more yellow-ish tint to it. Also, the Winter White has much softer fur, unlike the Campbell's Russian who has very think and wool looking coat.