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1) Campbell's dwarf hamsters have 28 chromosomes.
2) All Campbell's dwarf hamsters have a dorsal stripe, unless they're albino. It runs from the head all the way to the tail.
3) Dwarf hamsters are stocky animals with short legs, large heads, small noses, and soft fur. Males can grow to be around 4 inches, but most will stay around 3 inches or less.
4) There are six common colors associated in dwarf hamsters. Get to know these so you know what kind of hamster you want or might consider breeding.
Agouti - This is the also known as the 'wild type'. It is a medium-brown color on the back with a white belly. It is the only dominant color in Campbells.
Albino - This hamster is completely white. It lacks a dorsal stripe because the albino gene covers it. They have red eyes, pinkish ears, and a white body.
Argente - This color ranges from sandy to cream to apricot. The dorsal stripe is usually gray. The normal argente has ruby eyes. There is another kind of argente called a BEA or black-eyed argente. They are exactly the same except have black eyes.
Black - As the name suggests, they are very dark brown to black. They have black dorsal stripes that are barely visible next to their dark fur.
Opal - This color is a silver-blue color. The underside is white to cream. The dorsal stripe is dark gray.
5) There are many other color variations besides these six mentioned above. Some of those are Blue, Blue Fawn, Champagne, Dove, and Lilac. There are many more. Coat patterns range in variety. Some are banded (meaning a white collar around the neck), others are completely one solid color, and most have a darker dorsal side and a light underside.
6) By breeding these six basic colors together, scientists and other breeders have created the more extravagant color varieties.
7) The most important thing when selecting a good pet is to make sure they are not only cute but healthy. Look for bright eyes, lots of activity, and a smooth coat.
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