If you’re a new hamster owner or are thinking of getting a hamster pet for the first time, you’ve most likely heard about the Roborovski hamster. It’s no wonder, as this hamster breed is considered the cutest of them all! And aside from its natural charm, there’s much more to learn about the Robo hamster.
The Roborovski hamster, also called the Robo or Russian dwarf hamster, is the smallest hamster breed and is popular for its cute appearance and soft, sand-colored fur. This breed is also known to be very energetic and quick-moving. Despite their cuteness, Robos are not as cuddly as other breeds.
In general, hamsters are great first-time pet owners and even for kids because they require much less maintenance than other animals. Still, hamsters need proper attention to thrive, and understanding a specific breed’s temperament, behavior, and lifestyle will help you provide the best care. If you want to learn more about this breed, read on.
Roborovski Hamster FAQs
Roborovskies (scientific name Phodopus roborovskii) are the common choice for hamster owners for one obvious reason: they are the cutest and most irresistible-looking of the whole bunch of hamster breeds! They are the tiniest, most energetic hamsters that are fun to watch at play or even while busy munching on their food.
They are known to have originated from the desert regions of Russia, Mongolia, and Northern China, although they are most widely known to be of Russian origin.
If you have cared for a hamster before, you won’t have to do anything much different with a Roborovski. However, there are slight differences in temperament and behavior between the Robo and other breeds, which means the way you handle it, as well as how many hamsters you can keep, may be affected if you choose to go with a Roborovski.
What Do Roborovski Hamsters Look Like?
When a Roborovski hamster matures into adulthood (which is at about three months of age), it grows up to about 2 inches (5 cm) only. At this stage, they also weigh an average of 28 grams (about 1 oz), making them the ideal pocket companion.
Due to their size, a Roborovski is undoubtedly the most adorable of all hamster breeds. That’s saying a lot, considering that there are 18 hamster breeds in total in the world. Of these 18, only five breeds are used as pets, and of these five, four are dwarf breeds, among which the Robo is the tiniest.
A Roborovski hamster’s fur is reminiscent of their natural desert habitat and is typically sandy in color, with streaks of white or gray.
There are five main varieties when it comes to Robo hamster fur:
- Sand. Sand-colored hamsters typically have a white, cream, or light brown underside.
- Platinum. These are hamsters that are completely white from head to tail, with no streaks at all.
- Pied. These are hamsters that have various patches of white, brown, and even gray.
- Light. With this variety, hamsters may have several light-colored streaks, from white to light brown to light gray.
- Blue. Contrary to the nickname for this color variation, these hamsters have a uniform dark brown coloration. They are nowhere near being blue!
If you’re looking for a Robo hamster in a pet shop, though, you will most commonly find sand-colored ones.
Are Roborovski Hamsters Solitary or Territorial?
Robo hamsters may look irresistibly cuddly, but don’t let that fool you into holding this hamster too often! Hamsters, in general, are solitary animals, but Roborovskis especially prefer to be left alone. Some Robos may not even appreciate (or tolerate) the presence of other hamsters within the same cage.
If you can’t resist handling this pet, make sure that you give it ample time to become bonded with you, and don’t force it to be close to you when it shows signs that it wants to be left alone. These signs include:
- Making sharp noises or shrieks when you put your hand inside the cage
- Running away to a corner or hiding in one of its toys or bedding when you approach
- Biting or attempting to bite
A Robo hamster that wants to be by itself may suddenly bite if you handle it or don’t give it enough time on its own.
Take time to get to know your pet better by observing its behavior at play, when you approach, and when you’re far from the cage, and go from there.
Even extremely solitary and territorial Robo hamsters may learn to like being cuddled with sufficient training and bonding, so if you’re the cuddly type and insist on getting one, try to allow it to get used to you through patient training.
Are Roborovski Hamsters Nocturnal and Noisy at Night?
All hamsters are crepuscular, which means that they wake up during the hours of the day when there is very little light (such as at dusk and at night).
During their waking hours, they are very energetic, quick-moving, and can be observed spending lots of time running around the cage, playing with running wheels, or burrowing through play sand.
If you intend to keep a Roborovski hamster in your room, take note that they tend to make vocalizations when they’re busy, which can be quite loud for some people. If you want to observe your hamster at play, wait for it to make these vocalizations, as they will almost instantly make them when they wake up.
Note: You may be too excited to watch your hamster in action and want to wake it up during the day. This is a big no-no. Hamsters need to get enough sleep. Frequent or regular sleep disruptions can cause stress and illness.
What Do Roborovski Hamsters Eat?
A Robo hamster needs about 12 grams (1 tablespoon) of high-quality hamster pellet mix every day. Hamsters also enjoy treats of vegetables and fruits, which are a great source of vitamins and minerals to help them stay healthy and strong.
If you are going to give any treats, make sure that the total amount of food (pellets and treats together) does not exceed the daily recommended amount. Hamsters are prone to obesity and diabetes.
Moreover, as long as there is still food in sight, they will gobble it all up or hide some of it in their cheek pouches, which can lead to impacted cheek pouches and other health issues.
What’s the Ideal Habitat for a Roborovski Hamster?
To ensure that your hamster is comfortable, place it in a cage with a minimum length of 24 inches (60 centimeters) and height of 12 inches (30 centimeters). The larger the cage, the better, as it provides a lot of space for your energetic furball to run around and play.
To mimic their natural habitat, provide your hamster with a sandy area inside the cage, just enough so that it can dig and roll around. Robo hamsters tend to produce more sebum in their coat than other breeds, which the sand can help keep clean.
Only make sure to replace the sand often so that it doesn’t get mixed with urine, fecal matter, or fruit bits (when giving some as treats).
You may also provide bedding material of about 2 inches (5 centimeters) in depth made from wood shavings or paper bits.
Conclusion
Roborovski hamsters are cute and easy to maintain. Just remember to control the urge to keep holding this pocket-sized pet and give it lots of alone time so that it doesn’t get stressed.