The Roborovski dwarf hamster is native to the desert regions of Mongolia. The hamster manages to survive there with little food. The Roborovski dwarf hamster has been kept as a pet since the 1970s. This usually happens in pairs,
because this hamster species is not a solitary animal. In the wild, they also live in pairs or groups of three to five animals. The Roborovski is the smallest dwarf hamster in captivity in the world. They are friendly animals that are not only nice to each other, but also to people.
This hamster species is also known as the desert dwarf hamster or simply the Robbie. The rodent has a life expectancy of one and a half to two years old.
Appearance
The Roborovski dwarf hamster is a very small dwarf hamster. The animal does not grow larger than nine centimeters. The animal has a short broad head with large round eyes. The tail is about half a centimeter to one centimeter long and has light hair. The hamster is characterized by large erect ears.
Colour
The most common color of the Roborovski dwarf hamster is brownish yellow with a white belly, a white muzzle, and a white spot above both eyes. In winter, the coat darkens. The animals have a softer and longer coat than other dwarf hamster species. This ensures a high cuddly factor.
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white face
There are also lobbies with a white head, a white belly, and a light brown back. These roborovski dwarf hamsters are known as ‘White Face.’
Behavior
The lobbies prefer to live in pairs or in groups. Are you considering a robotovski dwarf hamster as a hamster? Preferably keep them together in a pair, so that they do not become lonely. If you don’t want a boy, you can keep two males or two females together.
It is not recommended to keep robbies in groups. Fights often break out, forcing you to eventually separate the hamsters.
Friendly character
The hamsters are active in the evenings, night, and early morning. The animals live on the ground and do not like to climb. The lobbies are known for their friendly nature. They don’t bite quickly. However, they are not suitable as a cuddly toy for children, because they are very mobile.
Cleanliness
Desert dwarf hamsters are housebroken. They pee in a certain corner of the loft. The poop is right through the enclosure.
Housing
The roborovski dwarf hamster is easy to house in a mouse or hamster cage. The floor area must be at least thirty by fifty centimeters. Smaller is also allowed, but then the loft must have at least one extra floor.
Make sure the bars are close together. Otherwise, young Robbie will escape from their enclosure. A glass container (for example an aquarium) is also sufficient to house the Roborovski dwarf hamster.
Interior of the cage
Suitable bedding for Robbie consists of, for example, wood shavings or sawdust. Provide the roborovski dwarf hamster with a sleeping loft where it can retire. This can be a ready-made hamster house, but a box, half coconut, or a hollowed-out tree stump will also suffice. Put hay or straw in the house so that the animal can sleep well. Furnish the loft further with, for example, wooden pipes, rope, or a stone.
running wheel
The roborovki dwarf hamster likes to move. A running wheel is, therefore, a good investment. The running wheel must be at least ten to fifteen centimeters in diameter and must not produce any noise. Robbie is generally fond of the running wheel and sometimes exhibits compulsive walking behavior.
Cleaning the loft
Cleaning the roborovski dwarf hamster’s enclosure depends on how many animals you keep. With two robbers, it is sufficient to change the entire cage once a week. Then replace the floor covering in its entirety. The pee corner should be cleaned more often.
Then place new wood shavings or sawdust here. Check the sleeping loft regularly for perishable food scraps. If you regularly clean the cage, the cage will not smell quickly.
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Food
The basis for the food for the Roborovski dwarf hamster consists of hamster food. Choose rodent food based on grain, millet, grass seeds, and sunflower seeds. Do not give the hamster too much food. Otherwise, he will only nibble on the tastiest things and he may lack nutrients.
Animal proteins
In the wild, the robbers also feed on insects for animal protein. In captivity, it is sufficient to occasionally feed mealworms, earthworms, or buffalo worms. You can also choose to give cat and dog kibble for much-needed animal protein.
Reproduction
Breeding is not always obvious. Not every couple succeeds in producing offspring. Females in most cases give birth to their first young after the winter. The babies must stay with their mothers for at least five weeks. That is slightly longer than with other dwarf hamster species. A mother Robbie is pregnant for about 21 days.
Gender Distinction
It is difficult to determine the sex of a Roborovski dwarf hamster. You can recognize the difference by determining the distance between the anus and the genital opening. In the males, these openings are further apart than in the females. Males also have a scrotum.
