5 Friendliest Hamster Breeds: Info, Pictures, Facts, & History
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Hamsters make excellent little furry pets and are easy to care for. They don’t require much room, and most tolerate being held once they trust you. They can even be excellent pets for children once a child learns how to gently handle the hamster and learn respectable boundaries.
There are over 20 hamster species in existence, with five species being the most commonly kept as pets, which also happen to be the friendliest. In this article, we’ll list the five friendliest hamster species to help you make the best decision for you and your family.
The 5 Friendliest Hamster Breeds
Taxonomically, it is a misconception that there are different hamster breeds kept as pets; the hamsters kept as pets are all different species. The use of the word “breed” in this list is a stylistic choice by the author. The correct scientific name for each species is provided alongside their mentions on the list.
Generally speaking, all well-tamed hamsters are considered friendly, though the relative slowness of the Syrian hamster and their lower levels of activity have earned them the reputation of being the friendliest.
1. Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)
| Origin: |
Syria, Turkey
|
| Lifespan: |
2–3 years (average), longevity record is 3.9 years 1
|
| Length: | 6–7 inches |
The Syrian hamster is considered by many as the friendliest hamster breed. Also known as the Golden hamster, the Syrian hamster is also the largest species you can own as a pet, averaging 5–7 inches in length. They are easy to tame, quirky, and curious creatures. They are comfortable being held, which in part has earned the species the nickname of “teddy bear hamster.” The Syrian hamster is the most popular hamster, and they are also excellent for beginner hamster owners due to their docile nature.
Syrian hamsters do best living alone. They are territorial and do not tolerate having a cage mate despite their friendliness toward humans. They are nocturnal and are usually most active during nighttime hours.
2. Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus or Cricetulus barabensis griseus)
| Origin: | Deserts of Northern China and Mongolia |
| Lifespan: | 2–3 years |
| Length: |
4–6 inches (including tail)
|
The Chinese hamster has a grayish-brown coat with a thin black stripe running down the back. The tail is longer than most hamster species, reaching up to an inch in length in some individuals.
The first individuals were spotted in 1900 in Beijing and were originally used as lab animals. They were later used in the Peking Union Medical College in 1919 and eventually exported to labs worldwide; Harvard Medical School used the hamsters in 1948 for lab purposes. In the 1960s, these hamsters hit the European pet market, and in the 1970s, interest in these hamsters grew.
Even though they are among one of the friendliest hamster species, they are rare in the United States, and some states do not even allow them as pets. The Chinese hamster is timid, shy, and a little harder to tame, but they make friendly companions once tamed. Keep in mind these hamsters are not recommended for children due to their timid nature.
3. Winter White Hamster (Phodopus sungorus)
| Origin: | Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Manchuria |
| Lifespan: |
1.5–3 years on average, record is 3.9 years
|
| Length: | 3–4 inches |
The Winter White hamster has a brownish-gray coat, but in the winter, the coat changes to cream or white, hence the name. The coat color changes and acts as camouflage to protect them from predators in the snow. They are considered high-energy and sociable little creatures, making them ideal, friendly pets. They are relatively easy to tame and are suitable for first-time hamster owners.
These hamsters are known as “pocket pets” due to their small size, and they have a short tail that disappears when they sit. They can interbreed with other similar hamster species, and it isn’t easy to find a purebred, depending on where you live. Nonetheless, they are full of personality.
4. Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus campbelli)
| Origin: |
Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China
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| Lifespan: |
2–2.5 years as pets (average estimate)
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| Length: | 3–4 inches |
The Campbell’s Dwarf hamster was named after Charles William Campbell, who was the first to discover the species in 1902.
They are anecdotally skittish and prone to nip if they feel threatened, so you may wonder why this species is on our list. Truth is, they are friendly, but it takes time and patience to tame them. They are probably not for the first-time hamster owner, and they may be better in a home with older children who can handle the hamster properly. They are small and fast and will jump out of your hands quickly if frightened; however, most are friendly and will allow you to hold them.
They are often mistaken for the Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster due to their appearance and are one of the most common dwarf hamster species.
5. Roborovski Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii)
| Origin: |
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China
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| Lifespan: |
2–3 years on average, record is 4.8 years
|
| Length: | 2–3 inches |
The Roborovski hamster was discovered by two scientists, Wsewolod Iwanowitsch Roborowski and Pjotr Kusmitsch Koslow, in 1894. Also known as the Robo Dwarf hamster, they are the smallest species and were officially named as such in the Guinness Book of World Records 2003.
These little critters are energetic but shy. However, they may open up and be willing to play and interact with you once they gain your trust. They are fast, curious, and active, but the presence of fur on their toes means that they are not the best climbers. They generally do not like being held and are not the easiest hamster species to tame. Given their small size, they can be hard to handle and do best being observed rather than handled, but they are fun to watch due to their active nature.
How Are Hamsters Classified?
Hamsters are classified as exotic animals and go by the scientific name of Cricetinae. There are seven different genera of hamsters.
- Allocricetulus: Mongolian and Evermann’s hamster
- Cansumys: Gansu hamster
- Cricetulus: Rat-like hamster
- Cricetus: Black-bellied hamster
- Mesocricetus: Golden hamsters
- Phodopus: Dwarf hamsters, small desert hamsters
- Tscherskia: Greater long-tailed hamster
Final Thoughts
Hamsters make excellent little pets and are great for apartment dwellers; however, you still need to learn how to properly care for one. Hamsters require sufficient housing, and the size of the enclosure will depend on the species.
Though all hamsters sold as pets can be hand-tamed and are therefore considered friendly, the Syrian hamster seemingly remains the most popular when it comes to wearing the crown of friendliness.
Featured Image Credit: Johannes Menge, Shutterstock
