Desert Hamster

About this species

Size

Approximately 6.3cm adult head-and-body length

Weight

Approximately 16g in adulthood

Habitat

Central Asian desert and sandy country

Range

Central Asia, including Mongolia

The desert hamster, better known in captivity as the Roborovski hamster, is the smallest of the three Phodopus hamsters. Adults are about 6.3cm long and weigh around 16g. Sandy upperparts, white underparts, and small white marks above the eyes create its characteristic pale-faced appearance. Unlike Campbell's and Djungarian hamsters, it lacks a dark dorsal stripe. Its minute size, sandy colour, and stripe-free back are therefore the most practical external combination for recognition. (Wikipedia, Roborovski dwarf hamster account)

This species is native to Central Asian deserts and is adapted to dry, sandy country. It shelters in excavated burrows and is chiefly active when daytime heat has eased. Wild foods include seeds and other available plant material, supplemented by small invertebrates. The species account distinguishes wild biology from the extensive material on captive pets; husbandry traits have not been transferred into this guide. Mongolia is confirmed by the Mammal Diversity Database, but neither opened source supplies a named Mongolian viewing locality, so no site claim is made. (Wikipedia, Roborovski dwarf hamster account; Mammal Diversity Database, Mongolia country list)

Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)