Help! Is it a dwarf hamster???

[IguanaMama]

Hi,
I adopted a dwarf hamster a few weeks ago. Since he was abandoned, I do not know his age. I went to the pet store to get him a buddy. I picked out a white one with black eyes, he was labled as a male dwarf. He was just a little bit bigger than the first, this was about two weeks ago. Now the new white one has grown really fast and is a lot bigger than the first adopted guy. Is there a big variety in the size of these guys, or is it possible that I have a regular hamster and not a dwarf? Do regular hamsters look different than dwarfs or do they look the same just bigger? I only did research on dwarfs since that is what I have, so I do not know what different kinds of hamsters look like. These two look very much alike except for the color and size.
Thanks!

[Jiffykat]

With out a picture I can't tell you for sure. And also, when you say regualr hamster, what do you mean? I have heard or Syrians, dwarves, several kinds of dwarves, not just your regular run of the mill "hamster." I would assume that the new hammie is a dwarf as well, because (not that I have ever tried it but) I think if you put a dwarf in with a syrian, or vice versa, the syrian would kill the dwarf. Try to post a pic and then I or someone else will be able to tell you for sure.

[PetLuver21257]

Yes, as Jiffykat said, a picture would help a lot!

Are they fighting? Dwarf hamsters do have different colors.
Do they look sort of like this: http://www.hamsterific.com/images/hamsters/RussianInWheel.jpg
Becuase if they do, they are definatly Dwarves. Next time, always check first what kind of hamster it is and if it is a male or female before buying it a friend!

[yodelinghamster]

It sounds to me like you have 2 dwaves, pictures would help. But what you call a regular hamster (Syrians) look very different from dwarves. Also dwarves can tolerate and get along with other dwarves, sometimes be friends! But an older hamster may not like a friend, or just tolerate one. I do hope they get along though if both are still young. Post pictures please!! :)

[IguanaMama]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. I just remembered reading that 2 male hamsters wouldn't get along except if they were dwarfs. These two get along really well, they groom each other. I knew for sure that the first one was a dwarf because he looked just like the pictures of all the other dwarfs--like the picture above.

The second one was labled male dwarf in the pet store and I checked his underside to make sure he was male.

The only reason I was having doubts is because he is so much bigger than the other. Also, I couldn't find a picture of a pure white dwarf with black eyes--only albinos with red eyes. And he doesn't look like a winter white either. I guess I'll just have to name him Hagrid or Paul Bunyan or Big Foot.....

[Jiffykat]

Technically, in gerbils and hamsters, due to genetics, there are no abinos. Which is wierd because you would think it would be an albino, but it is actually a REW (red-eyed white.) Messed up, huh?

[yodelinghamster]

That is great that they get along! My friend hand tried to get a buddy for her dwarf when he has 1 year old, whitch didn't work out. But Syrians don't get along with each other at all! But dwarves can!

[IguanaMama]

Oh, that is interesting about the genetics. I'll have to read up about that. They also had a red-eye white in the pet store but I passed him up for the black-eyed white. I have had mice and rats for a while, but these are my first hamsters (obviously). I really like them, they are soooo cute and fluffy.

[Zouave]

Note: introducing a new dwarf to another is VERY difficult even for experienced people. Fighting usually occurs. So be very careful.

I would not have even tried it.

[IguanaMama]

That's funny, mine seem to actually like each other. As I mentioned, they even groom each other--it's so cute. I introduced them on my bed, there was squeaking for maybe 30 seconds tops, then the smaller one submissed and it's been bliss in the hammy household ever since. The only reason I got the second one is because I read that dwarfs can live in pairs/groups.

But then again, I have a group of male mice living peacefully together, and that shouldn't be. They are all siblings (plus Dad) though.

[Zouave]

You're lucky.

I once tried it with a new tank (neutral ground) and a split screen between them. They started SCREAMING and going nuts, and one climbed up the screen, squeezed under the lid, and jumped down on the other screaming like a banshee!!! They balled up and I immediately pulled them apart (I had gloves on). And that was my experience with dwarf introductions!! LOL :D

[PetLuver21257]

LOL!!! That is really funny the way you told it!!

[Jiffykat]

They do scream though. I have two dwarves together and every now and then, the submissive tries to over throw the dominant, and they scream at eachother, while the dominant grooms the other one back into submission. The thing is she REALLY is grooming her, I have checked for bite marks to see if I needed to seperate them.