Buyer question
Is a Chinese hamster good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Chinese hamster 3 out of 5 for beginners (check local law first).
Source: the Chinese hamster page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Chinese hamster in the Animal Library
The detail
The Chinese hamster is a slender, rat-like hamster with a longer tail and a dark dorsal stripe, from northern China and Mongolia; it is not a true dwarf. It is often gentle once tamed, but local laws on the species vary more than for other hamsters.
- Best fit
- Adults, teens
- Handling
- 4 out of 5 (Gentle, grips with its tail)
- Care load
- 2 out of 5 (Daily food, spot-clean)
What to weigh
Harder to find than other hamsters and restricted in some places. Females in particular can be territorial, so keep one per enclosure.