Top 3 Common Types of Hamsters: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Silver Fox Hamsters: Known for their light fur, Silver Fox hamsters come in two distinct varieties: those with the wild gene and those with the purple dwarf gene. The key difference lies in their back stripes – the wild gene variety has a pronounced back line, while the purple dwarf gene variety has an almost indistinguishable one, making it quite challenging to spot the difference without a close look.
2. Bunny Hamsters: A special breed within the threeline hamster family, Bunny hamsters boast orange stripes on their backs, with fur predominantly yellow and cream. This distinctive coloring allows them to be categorized as either Yellow Bunny or White Bunny hamsters.
3. Purple Dwarf Hamsters: Manually bred and also known as Amethyst hamsters, these creatures have fur that appears faintly purple in sunlight, hence their name. Their back lines are quite faint, with some individuals having almost none, which is a characteristic of this breed.
4. Milk Tea Hamsters: Their coat resembles the creamy texture of milk tea, and their coloration is quite even, which is why they are named after this popular beverage. Like the purple dwarf hamsters, their back lines are also subtle, contributing to their overall charming appearance. However, Milk Tea hamsters are known to be somewhat delicate, a result of inbreeding and genetic weaknesses.
5. Grandpa and Grandma Hamsters: Grandpa hamsters are tiny, with yellow or brownish fur, white whiskers and eyebrows, and round ears, giving them a striking resemblance to an elderly man, hence the name. Grandma hamsters have a lighter coat, resembling a bleached version of the Grandpa hamster. These hamsters are particularly nervous and shy around humans, making them less likely to bond closely. Despite this, they are generally nonaggressive and can be kept in the same cage, although their fur tends to become excessively oily, necessitating frequent sand baths.
6. Golden Bear Hamsters: Characterized by their goldenbrown fur, which may include brown spots or white patches, the original Golden Bear hamsters had goldenbrown backs and graywhite bellies. Today, there are numerous color variations due to selective breeding. These hamsters are highly adaptable, with a mix of long and short fur, making seasonal shedding quite noticeable.
Threeline hamsters are known for their gentle nature, making them excellent pets for beginners. They are generally easy to train and do not resist human interaction. If you're interested in learning more about these delightful creatures, there are many other informative articles available on the website.
