There are many different types of hamsters. These include the Syrian (Also referred to as Teddybear or Golden), Dwarf Campbell's Russian, Dwarf Winter White Russian, and Chinese.
Syrian
Dwarf Campbell's Russian
Dwarf Winter White
Chinese
These are perhaps the most commonly kept hamsters. Once you have chosen which hamster you are interested in, proceed to the choose section for help on buying your hamster.
The Syrian is the hamster most commonly kept as a pet. They usually have a golden color. (Some may be black or hairless). They are about 6-7 inches and have a short tail. They are able to keep food in their expandable cheek pouches. Syrian's prefer living alone after about 8 weeks of age so try to keep them in separate cages or they may fight. They are also nocturnal animals and will wake during the evening. Syrian's make excellent pets and are even good for small children. With the proper care, they can live up to 2-3 years.
These hamsters are sometimes called Siberian hamsters in some pet shops. They are the most common of the dwarf hamsters. They can grow up to 10-12 cm in length. They have a rounded body, expandable cheek pouches, and furry feet. They are sociable and can live with other hamsters. They are nocturnal but may sometimes get up during the day. These hamsters make good pets because of their small size but may nip more if annoyed. Their average life span is about 1-2 years long.
These hamsters are more compact than the Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamsters. They have a bullet shaped body and can grow to approximately 8-10 cm long. They have expandable cheek pouches and furry feet. The Dwarf Winter White hamsters are sociable and willing to live with others, if introduced at a young age. They make a good pet because of their small size. They are tolerant to clumsy handling and are good natured. They can live to about 1-2 years with proper care.
The Chinese hamster is not as commonly kept as a pet because of their close similarities to the mouse. They have a slender mouse-like body and can grow to about 10-12 cm long. The males have a large scrotal sac and they have expandable cheek pouches. These hamsters are sociable and can live together, if introduced at a young age. They are nocturnal but may be active during the day at times. Chinese hamsters are fast moving and good climbers. They are a good pet but may be hard to catch because of their speed. They can live to about 2-3 years with good care.