Head to head
Campbell's Dwarf Hamster vs Djungarian Hamster
Campbell's Dwarf Hamster
VS Djungarian Hamster
Campbell's dwarf hamster and the Djungarian hamster are close relatives in the genus Phodopus, so alike in appearance that they have often been mixed up in the pet trade, yet they are separate species from different parts of Central Asia.
| Campbell's Dwarf Hamster | Djungarian Hamster | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phodopus campbelli | Phodopus sungorus |
| Appearance | Compact, rounded body with a dark stripe along its spine on a brown to grey coat | Dark stripe down the centre of a grey-brown back |
| Winter response | Not specifically documented | Grows a thicker, paler coat that may turn almost white, can lose weight, and can enter short bouts of torpor |
| Captive confusion | Often mistaken for the Djungarian hamster and can interbreed with it in captivity, which breeders discourage | Often mistaken for Campbell's dwarf hamster and can interbreed with it in captivity, which breeders discourage |
| Native range | Steppe and semi-desert in Mongolia, southern Siberia, and northern China | Steppe and semi-desert in parts of Kazakhstan and southwestern Siberia |
| Diet | Mainly seeds and grains, along with insects and some plant matter | Mainly seeds and grains, with some insects and plant matter |
| Food storage | Carries seeds back to its burrow in stretchy cheek pouches | Not specifically documented |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Campbell's Dwarf Hamster vs Djungarian Hamster: common questions
Are Campbell's dwarf hamster and the Djungarian hamster the same species?
No, they are separate species of the same genus that look very alike and have often been confused in the pet trade.
Can the two hamsters interbreed?
They can interbreed in captivity, but breeders discourage it.
Which one grows a paler coat in winter?
The Djungarian hamster, whose coat can grow thicker and paler as the days shorten, and in some animals turns almost white.