Head to head
Syrian Hamster vs Roborovski Hamster
Syrian Hamster
VS Roborovski Hamster
The Syrian hamster and Roborovski hamster are two of the best-known pet hamsters, but they sit at opposite ends of the hamster size range and come from very different wild habitats.
| Syrian Hamster | Roborovski Hamster | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Mesocricetus auratus | Phodopus roborovskii |
| Size | A full-sized pet hamster | Only around 4 to 5 cm, the smallest pet hamster |
| Colouring | Golden-brown coat | Sandy-brown back, white belly, white eyebrow spots, and no dorsal stripe |
| Social life | Solitary and territorial | Not specifically documented |
| Activity | Mainly dusk and night | Quick bursts of speed, mainly at night |
| Habitat | Dry grassland and steppe of Syria and southern Turkey | Desert and semi-desert of Central Asia |
| Pet origins | Nearly all pets descend from one wild litter caught in 1930 | Not documented |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Syrian Hamster vs Roborovski Hamster: common questions
Which is bigger, the Syrian hamster or the Roborovski hamster?
The Syrian hamster is a full-sized pet hamster, while the Roborovski hamster is only around 4 to 5 cm long, the smallest of the commonly kept hamsters.
Can Syrian hamsters live together like some other hamsters?
No, Syrian hamsters are solitary and territorial, so adults housed together tend to fight.
Which hamster is more threatened in the wild?
The Syrian hamster, which is Vulnerable with small, declining wild populations, while the Roborovski hamster is Least Concern and widespread across Central Asian deserts.