A Normal Winter White, aka Aguoti Winter White showing you its bullet shaped body and thick dorsal stripe.
The highly debatable Pudding Winter White (Mandarin Winter White). No matter it is the result of interbreed between Winter White and Russian Campbell or a mutated color pure Winter White, it is just as cute, if not more.
photo by jade_c
photo by jade_c
Dwarf Winter White hamsters are generally nice natured and never bite, that is why I like them the most! They make very good pet although their smaller size body is less tolerant of clumsy handling than the bigger Syrian Hamster.
Have a look at this Winter White hamster family, all the above types are in!
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99 comments:
My son just a Winter White Hamster, it is so sweet! They are great, never bite, very friendly.
I think they are the sweetest hamster too.
I have a sapphire winter white and a normal winter white. They are SO friendly and will climb up my hands every time! They never bit me and they are simply too cute for words!
I just got one today and he's great. He's a bit scared from the change but never bit me. Question: I got a spring-loaded water bottle and I'm worried he's not strong enough to push the ball -- any thoughts?
tanya: don't worry, your hamster should have no problem using the water bottle. When my winter white was only 1 month old, he can push the ball already. However you can push the ball to make the tips wet from time to time, let him licks it if he is too tired.
sweet? im guessing i got a rogue one then...
when i first got it used to bite and not let go [it would be dangling off my finger...] it looked pretty crazy with blood all round its mouth...
its calmed down now though thank god =] and is a luvly hamster who i wouldn't swop for the world
lou
I have two winter whites and they are so adorable! one of them is the sweetest thing and the other will not let us hold her! she hisses everytime we go near the cage. The other one has never hissed or bit us and is such a sweetheart! Any idea as to why the other one is mean?? Also any tips!
No two hamsters are same in term of character, they sure have personality, don't you think so?
I'm a little confused with the coloring of winter white hamsters and would like some clarification. Apparently there are three types:
Normal: dark brown, light underbelly
Sapphire: blue-ish, grey-ish with light underbelly
Pearl: white with colored hairs
Would this be correct? I am considering getting myself a winter white dwarf and there is this darling light beige one with a white underbelly that I love. However, is it really a winter white hamster, since it is beige instead of being grey, dark brown, or pretty much white? Is it possible for a winter white dwarf hamster to be a very light beige? If so, what color would it be called?
Thank-you!
grace: the winter white hamster with light beige color that you mention is actually the highly debatable pudding winter white hamster.
Some says it is the result of interbreed between winter white and russian campbell. Others believe that it is a mutated color of pure winter white.
Anyway, I have one pudding before. It is cute and just like other winter white.
Thank-you very very much! You were a great help in my decision. I have decided to get the Pudding hamster. :) But just to clarify, pudding-colored winter white hamsters also get their winter white coats right?
Keep up the amazing work! I really love your site/blog. It's really informative, organized and has been really helpful in my research!
grace: Your complement has been so encouraging, thanks.
It is possible for pudding winter white to get their winter coat. Only pearl winter white will never change into winter coat because they are permanently in their winter coat already.
A good pet owner always do research before keeping any pet, welcome to the club! ^_^
its bot a pudding hamster it is a Mandarin hamster it is a hybrid and most have gone extinct now, i should know because i am a national hamster breeder
Not a big fan of hamsters--I've found rats to be much friendlier--but these are absolutely adorable. They bring back memories of my hamster days <3.
Kate, I heard about friendliness of pet rats too, maybe I will keep some one day.
does anyone know of a winter white hamster breeder in illinois? im thinking of getting one and i would like to get one from a breeder. also are they suitable for 13 year olds?
thankyou
13 year olds should not have problem handling hamster, but you need to help in taking care of the hamster.
Russain Dwarf Hamster are evil trust me!!!!!!11 Dont be decieved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have a pudding and a sapphire! they DO bite. haha. but not till the extent that it bleeds. they are really adorable and cuddly little creatures :D
hi, i have a russian dwarf that has a beige coat with a white belly and ruby eyes...i am trying to find out what type she is, any help appreciated,, thanks
Hi rubber soul, I'm sure she is not a winter white as they have no ruby eyes.
You can check whether she looks like any of these dwarf campbell russian hamsters.
i just got my kids two winter white hamsters. i do agree they are cute. my concern is the waiver i was reading that we received from the pet store. It mentioned diseases transmitted through contact, and cage handling, such as salmonella. i know about the hand washing before and after handling, and supervising my children when ever handling. but still have some concerns . am i doing enough? should i be worried? i was hoping for a great first pet for my kids.now i just don't know. any advise?
The risk of getting Salmonella from rodents are minimal and very manageable. We just need to take proper precautions.
my winter white bite me twice, my finger bleeding wooooooooo
Hi there do you think a winter white is ok for a 10 turning eleven year old kid????
any tips???
do you know any reliable breeders in california in the bay area??
thanks!!
Hey guys i simply love pets and im getting another fish, i never wanted fish and wanted a hamster so im thinking about getting a Winter white. i'm either gonna get a sapphire winter white or a normal winter white. im great with hamsters, they usually get along with me, however, i have never OWNED one, TIPS PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? =)
So, here's my story...i got 2 hamsters and they were vicious crazy! they bit me and it bleeded!! So i returned both of them...i think i should get a winter white...right? because before, when i got the 2 hamsters, it was near Christmas and i think all the nice ones were taken...but I'll try to check today...=]
do not bite? well then my hamster may have watched Jaws one too many times. she bites just like t-rex and holds on like a crcodile.
I've had a normal winter white for a few months now and it's just turning white now. It's already getting hot here...should I be worried, or is this normal?
ope, it's perfectly normal.
I just got a winter white hamster and he keeps on biting me and i dont know why. Should i be worried?
Hi hamsterlover, your hamster will need some times to get used to your scent. Also, he might still bite depend on his temperament.
If I even try to pet my hamster, he jumps at my fingers and tries to bite them. Sometimes even if I don't touch him, just go near him, he still tries to bite me. Could he just be an evil hamster?
hamsterlover, it is too early to judge that. However, a hamster who bite is still a cute little fur ball. Don't you agree on that?
yes, and I am still trying to get him to trust me. Thanks for the advice!
I got a winter white just recently. Saw him at a local pet shop and he was the cutest rodent I'd ever seen and paid a whopping $15 for him!!! Before I bought him I looked it up and discovered he was a pearl winter white. Well, brought him home and he was evil...screamed like he was being murdered if you even acted like you were going to pick him up. I was bit twice, but never once did he draw blood. i just didn't give in to his temper tantrums and 4 days later after getting him...he is a bundle of love and the sweetest little thing! It just takes kind words and patience if you get a "rogue"
Hi there !! I just bought two hamsters about a few days ago. I bought a Russian Campbell and a pearl white. When I got home, I tried to pat my hamsters. My russian campbell didint bite me but my pearl white did. I thought pearl whites dont bite. But why does mine ? Can you give me tips on how to tame my hamster?
Quoted from Lark: It just takes kind words and patience if you get a "rogue". Nice one!
Hi there, it was interesting reading all your posts. I had just gotten a normal winter white yesterday. Seems like a little devil (one month old) but I guess it is still adjusting to the new home. Does a one month old need any special attention? The pet shop say no need but would like to be surer.
My last sapphire winter white was a dearie, a tamed and domesticated hammie. Passed away a month ago. Cried a few days!
One thing you can do to get them tame is swiftly pick them up. If I do this it gives me hammie little time to react and unlike my Syrian he doesn't nip when I scoop him up. Then I'd take him to a surface like a bed and try holding him there in case he decides to jump. I just didn't give in to the little temper tantrums mine threw and now all is well.
Wow Lark, thanks for the tip. Will try to do that tonight!
My sis had to leave her 2 adorable Winter Whites (normal and sapphire) in my care when she left home to work in another country. I don't think I'm ever giving them back :)
My only regret is not getting these cuties earlier!
I have a hamster. I have no idea what kind but it is really mean.. She only lets me touch her when she is eating. When my friend tried to pet her she bit her and drew blood, only a little though.. Any ideas on how to tame her? She is almost a year old. Please help me!
Please refer to my post on training hamsters. Wish that your hamster will become tamer.
I want to get either a Winter White hamster or a Sapphire Winter White but are they Dwarf hamsters or are they normal sized? And I don't know where to buy either the Sapphire or winter white hamster.....can someone help me????
Winter White hamsters are dwarf hamsters, smaller than Syrian hamsters. You can buy them from pet shop or check out your local pets forum for breeders.
Just Found Mine Dead :(, But After Looking Around On Sites Saying 1.5-2 Years Its Not All Bad It Lived For 3 Years :) Double Its Lifespan.
i have a winter white named Bella, and she can't push around the ball, she NEVER drinks from her water bottle ( at least not that i've seen) and im worried about her. does anyone have any suggestions? PLEASE?
was wonder,if you get an pearl white or beige winter white hamster,will it stay that color and never go dark?
i have a pearl winter white hamster. recently i found out that she is shading her fur and she became very tame compare to her usual characteristic. what is wrong with her? is she pregnant?
Hi, i am a first time hammy owner and i was wordering about winter whites.... can you handle MOST of them easily without them scurrying off your hand like no tomorrow? are they somewhat slow? PLEASE reply
I am a member of the midland hamster association and i am here to inform you that the hamsters on your page are mostly wrong!
The normal is correct
The sapphire w.w isnt a sapphire it is a FAWN
The pearl is NOT a pearl it is the MANDARIN
And the pudding hamster is also the MANDARIN and is banned from the hamster association standards
I recommend all owners that want help about thier hamsters to ask a proffesional not someone who thinks they know something
Thankyou
Hamster Association Website
http://www.midlandhamsterclub.co.uk/
I had a gerbil years and years ago and he was the sweetest thing! He would sit on my shoulder for hours (yeah, he pooped sometimes, but little balls of nothing easily picked off and hands washed!)
He died after over 3 years, so I got a regular teddy bear hamster. MEANEST THING EVER! OMG! He hated the world, I swear.
So when he died, I wanted to get another gerbil. EVERY gerbil I picked up spazzed and jumped anywhere they thought they would survive.
Adopted a winter white, last of her litter, so got her for absolutely free! Was worried about that, but she acts JUST like my old gerbil! Comes right out of her hidey hole when I scratch at the opening and climbs right into my hands.
Absolutely beautiful! I love her to death, =D
Thanks for pointing out. Some of the photos are indeed confusing, I have replaced them with more accurate photos.
We have always had syrian hamsters in the past but bought a 10 week old winter white for my daughter 2 days ago. All he seems to have done so far is sleep, apart from a very short burst of activity around 6.30 am!Is this normal? Also, should I have bought a pair? I don't want him to be lonely!
Maybe you didn't notice, but hamsters are usually active at night. They prefer to stay alone, and won't feel lonely as human do.
Thanks but he hasn't been out very much at night either. He gets up for about 15 mins than goes back to bed. Maybe I've just got a lazy one :) Glad he's going to be ok on his own too.
I have a question! I am looking for a winter white hamster. I am wondering were to buy one from. Where did you all get your winter white hamsters from?
I have always wanted a winter white hamster! my parents just don't understand! You never grow tired of your hamsters do you? I really need a furry little friend!
I was typing to fast and spelled my name wrong...
Omgosh! i just convinced my parents to get me a hamster, and now i have him...and idk how to care for them! well yea i know the casic stuff......but i mean like stuff i shouhld know, and tips. Thanks for any help!
my winter white hamster sometimes bites but only when i feed him! Star is a great hamster and i your looking for a good pet........ Winter White hamsters are great!! they love people but the age 10 and up is the best time to get one...
The only sickness they get is pink eye and ear infections very rare.. also if your winter white hamster gets one of those they can be easy to treat!! TIP: having one winter white is okay but two is recommended! You will never have a better experience .
cuddly and very social they love being handled and they love to PLAY! they live 1-2 years so don't get to attached!!
i have the most adorabe normal winter white hamster. never bites and as sweet as can be,
one day i fell asleep forgetting i had my hammie april out. she curled up and fell asleep with me!!! beleive it or not true story.....i reccomend these hamsters to 13-15 year olds and i advise you read a little info on a hamster befor you buy! thanks
That is so sweet!
hi i just got 2 winter whites yesturday, and they are always fighting! the people at the stores said that they where both males, but i dont know! is one trying to mate with the other? or is this normal?im worried one will get hurt.☻
No, I don't think they are mating, as both of them are males. Hamsters are solitary, best way is to give each hamster a cage.
Hey I just love this site I am getting a normal one to Moro I'm calling him safarai
Help!!!!I got my new winter white and I left it for nine and a half hours and then I gave him a a sun flower seed and he took it but did not eat it straight away not untill I left.Then 20mons later I went to pet him he was on his wheel He got off and ran into his house so I took the house out of the cage and he got out and tryed to bite me then he jumped off the table (1f) and ran I had gloves on and I got him back in but I'm not sure if he will ever trust me again !Help!!!
Sorry I ment to say 20mins later
Hi, you're saying hamsters are solitary. Dwarf hamsters usually get along fine. Only hamsters that USUALLY fight are Syrians and Chinese, very territorial and aggressive towards each other. But dwarf hamsters (roborovski, winter white, Russian) are fine, unless they DO fight which isn't very often. They will get lonely alone unless for some reason its personality is a loner.
my hamster looks just like the first (normal) one so will it change to white in the winter?
plus he is the sweetest little thing ever i put some unscented toilet paper in his cage a while ago and he went totally insane but now he has calmed down but, he will never but except when he nibbles but he is the sweetest hamster and will littaerally chase me about 50 feet into my room
"he will never *bite* except when he nibbles"
thanx for all the advice guys. i had a great time reading all the comments and learned alot from actual owners! just one question: i'm finally getting a hamster!!!!!!! my best freinds are giving me one for my 14 bday!!!!!! we're all going to pick it out tomorrow! but my question is: the mandarin white winter looks like the one for me! but i can only get 1. will it live a long happy life in a cage by itself if i play with every day?
Hi Sydney, with your attention, your hamster will be happy to live alone in the cage.
Hi Gazard, I'm Gio. Thanks 4 all of ur advices. I've already read all of ur posts. Now I have male Winter White Normal (Leo) & female Winter White Sapphire (Dora). But, Gazard, I have a lil' questions. Can I breed Dora with Leo? Do I have to separate Leo from Dora when Dora gets pregnant or gives birth? Leo & Dora have been living together happily in one cage. Please reply . . .
Yes, pikul88. You have to separate Leo from Dora when she get pregnant to avoid fights and for her comfort as well.
hi there! i am going to be adopting a winter white soon. i am 12 years old and my sister is 6. i have owned a syrian before. sadly, lola, ran away. i have a couple of questions before we adopt.
1. am i too young to adopt one?
2. we would be adopting before it is a month old. is that too early?
3. male or female?
i am sorry to ask again but i have one more question. which type(s) change coat color in the winter? PLEASE help!
and also, is my sister old enough?
Hi Michelle, you are not too young to adopt a hamster, neither is your sister. Anyway, syrian hamsters is recommended for your sister as they are bigger and easier to be handled.
Hamsters become independent from their mum at about 4-5 weeks old. Male or female did not make much difference. Normal winter white can change coat color in the winter.
Okay...I've been reading posts and have read both sides to the winter white hamster "alone in a cage or with a buddy debate" - just got a winter white and am looking at another...both very young males...together to grow or seperate territories? Please clarify....
Tishell
Hi tishell, you can try to let them stay together first, who know they may love each others company. However, always prepare another cage in case they start fighting.
If Anyone in the Southern California Region is looking to get a Russian Winter White Hamster, check out ECO Hams Hamstery!
We currently have a litter of 1 pearls pup and 6 sapphire pups available.
ECO Hams is tiny hamstery based in San Diego,CA.
Each purchase of a hamster baby comes with a starter package, pedigree, and a lifelong return guarantee.
Here's the link to our web site: www.EcoHams.tk
AND to clear up the confusion in posts above....
Winter Whites are very social creatures,
A colony of winter whites can be kept together in successfully captivity...
However there should only one male per social group. 1 male to 3 or 4 females.
Females can be kept together as a pair, or even a group as long as the cage that is provided is large enough and they get along. Female siblings from the same litter are ussually the best candidates for this type of housing since they are together since birth.
Hearing an occasional "beep" (Hamster for "You're in my personal bubble) is normal but more than that and they should be separated.
Males on the other should never be kept in the same cage, unless its a REALLY REALLY REALLY big cage (50 or + galon tank. Yes I said 50+) where they rarely come across eachother. This is because when males reach sexual maturity they develop a scent gland on their belly and become very territorial and may even kill other males in their cage if they feel threatened by them.
Unless you are an expirienced hamster breeder you should never try to experiment by putting a pair of hamsters, of the opposite sex, together in the same cage.
If the female is too young, you will most likely end up with a miscaridge, death of the mother during the birthing process, or a mother who dosen't have the expirience to take care of her pups which will result in the expiration of the entire litter.
If you don't know the pedigree and background of the two hamsters, their is a big possibility of the hamsters being sibling or closely related wich will end up producing unhealthy inbred pups.
Or you might end up with a litter of pups and have no homes for them. Winter Whites can have from 2-14 pups in one litter.
I could go on and on...
So please think about this wisely.
However if you are interested in breeding hamsters (a descicion that should not be taken lightly) and getting into the hobby...
Contact your local hamster breeder and I'm sure they can provide you with expert advice, tips and even breeder stock.
Hope this was informative.
:]
I got a winter white hamster yesterday! She bit me today, because I startled her, but I'm going to try and tame her. She's super super cute though!! :] I named her Willow :]
Willow is such a cute name! I have one and I named her Sunflower because her coat kind of reminds me of a sunflower seed. If she keep biting it is good to do what other people have said and don't give into her tantrums. When I first got mine she bit me all the time even when I didn't do anything but put my hand in the cage. What I heard from a pro at the store I got her from said to do is role her in your hands like a piece of dough. I know it sounds funny but it get your smell on her so she knows who you are next time and it establishes dominance over them so they know who is boss.
to better explain you put your hamster between your hands and move them back and forth. They don't like it really but they won’t bite you while you do it. They will move in your hands still but just keep the same motion for a moment and then you will be able to hold them a just fine.
Scooping them up for is the best way I know to pick them up and don't be afraid of them. Just like with any other animal it will know if you are afraid and that won’t go well.
Hope that helps. =)
I have one winter white and I love her so much! She never bites and is very friendly.
The only thing I sometimes get frutrated over is that she always bites on the bars in her cage! I have chew toys to keep her teeth and healthy. I also have a toilet paper roll she can have fun with. She has been biting certain spots on the bars so much that the paint came off!
I dont want her teeth to get messed up. Help me please!
They are cute! My hamster sadly had a bloody nose, but is much better now!!!
I just got my winter white on friday :) she is amazing. she is white already.. so does that mean she is a pearl? or is it winter already?
do winter white hamsters like to live alone?
or should i have two? because i was thinking of getting some. thanks to anyone that can help.
Hi ribbonsandbowsxo, pearl winter white will have white coat permanently even though it is not winter.
Shirtscorvette, hamsters can stay alone perfectly. They need your companion more than from other hamsters.
I have a winter white normal.she is so cute and adorable.I just had her for a week now.When i go near her tank she just pushes herself up against the tank begging me to pick her up.When i pick her up she stays there on my hand and waits for me to rub her back.She spends half her time sleeping on my bed and sometimes sleeps with me.Absolutely the cutest thing that I've ever had.I wouldn't trade her for the world.
does any 1 have any idea where can i get a whinter white hamster in NY?
Petco have CAMPBELLS HAMSTER only...
i really want to get 1 T_T
I just got 2 winter white brothers a week ago. they haven't bit yet but often they will find somewhere on my hand and sniff it and then try and chew on it, they arent biting i think but its just a little freaky when they do it.
Is it normal? I even wash my hands before holding them.
how old do you think they are? they are this long: |--------------------------------|
Thanks, also, about once a day they attack eahchother for some reason and sqeak at eachother. but it literally lasts only 1 second. Is this ok?
oops i mean they are about four inches long.
I just got a winter white hamster 3 days ago from a pet store and all he does is sleep. Ive had hamsters before and normally they are up and moving around at night but for some reason this little guy wakes up to eat and then heads back to sleep. Is this normal?
Hi Kaya, it is quite common for hamsters to sniff and chew, as long as they doesn't bite then you are considered quite lucky.
Your hamsters are determining who is the boss in the cage. However, keep an eye on them in case it turns to real fight then it will be better to give them a cage each.
Do winter white hamsters like little friends??? Should i get 2 or 1? which amount is better? PLEASE HELP im gonna get them soon
Hi Zeena, I would suggest you get 1 hamster first because you can't be sure if two hamsters can live together in a cage. Alternatively, you can get 2 hamsters from the same litter and have a spare cage ready just in case they fight.
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