Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters are the smallest members of the family of Russian Dwarf Hamsters. They are called Robos for short, and any adjective such as short, little, tiny or diminutive is the right way to describe them. At maturity, they measure only two inches in length, approximately the size of a human thumb, and weigh about a half of an ounce.
ORIGINS
These creatures come from the steppes of Mongolia's Gobi Desert and northern China. They dig steep tunnels that run anywhere from two to six feet underground. Their name comes from the man who first described them in 1894, V.I. Roborovski, an officer in the Russian army. It was only in modern times that Roborovski's namesake was brought to the western world, and not until recently did it make its debut in North American pet shops.
APPEARANCE
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters are instantly recognizable not only by their tiny size, but also by the white spots on their faces where the eyebrows would normally be. Their normal coloration, Agouti, is typically grayish brown with a white belly, and their ears are tipped with gray. White Face is a mutated variation, and is sometimes known as "Husky."
PERSONALITY
They are shy by nature and can be easily startled and stressed. They are friendly by nature, and not prone to biting. They will run and hide when frightened and due to their small size and great speed, they can easily escape from their owners' hands. This makes them a less than ideal choice for households with small children and cats.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters are very social hamsters and will form a strong bond with their cage mates, doing everything together, whether sleeping, eating or playing. Robos are the most active of all the Dwarf Hamsters and will put on quite a show with their antics. They enjoy a habitat that offers lots of nooks and crannies to explore, tubes to run through, a wheel to run on, and a safe place to hide. They require a solid hamster wheel due to the tiny size of their feet.
HAND TAMING A ROBO
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters can become accustomed to being handled with just a bit of patience. Inquisitive by nature, they will be eager to investigate the treat in your hand, but may need to work up the courage to take it directly from you. Daily handling will teach them that they are not in danger from their human caretaker.
GROOMING
They also keep themselves clean in the wild by digging in sand. Chinchilla Sand will help to recreate their natural habitat and allow them to keep themselves clean, as well as give them the material necessary to satisfy their need to dig.
MOTHERHOOD
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters breed at any time of year in captivity. It is best not to allow a female to breed until she is at least 4 months old. Gestation lasts anywhere from 22 to 30 days, and a litter will consist generally of four to seven pups. The babies are born completely helpless, both deaf and blind. Their fur will not begin to sprout until after the first week, so they need to be kept warm by their mother. Disturbing the nest may cause the mother hamster to eat her young.
DISTRIBUTION
Robos have long been a favorite pet in continental Europe, and they are also common in pet stores in South Korea and Israel. Although they are still uncommon in North American pet stores, their acrobatic antics and kind nature ensure that the United States will see more of the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster.
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