Wildlifeof China
Desert Hamster
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY 2.5
Phodopus roborovskii
Basic stats
Diet
Seeds and plant material supplemented by insects
Habitat
Sandy desert, semidesert and dry steppe
Range
Mongolia, northern China, adjacent Kazakhstan and Russia
Gestation period
Approximately 20–22 days
Size
Approximately 4.5–5cm head-and-body length
Weight
Approximately 20–25g
The desert hamster, better known as the Roborovski dwarf hamster, is among the smallest hamsters, measuring only about 4.5–5cm. It has sandy upperparts, white underparts and distinctive pale patches above the eyes, without the dark dorsal stripe present in some related dwarf hamsters. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Its range includes Mongolia, northern China and adjoining Kazakhstan and Russia. It inhabits sandy desert, semidesert and dry steppe, occupying burrows with steep entrance tunnels. Seeds and other plant material form the main diet, supplemented by insects. Females produce litters after a gestation of approximately 20–22 days. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Desert Hamster eat?
- Seeds and plant material supplemented by insects
- What habitat does the Desert Hamster live in?
- Sandy desert, semidesert and dry steppe
- Where is the Desert Hamster found?
- Mongolia, northern China, adjacent Kazakhstan and Russia
- How long is the gestation period of the Desert Hamster?
- Approximately 20–22 days
- How big is the Desert Hamster?
- Approximately 4.5–5cm head-and-body length
- How much does the Desert Hamster weigh?
- Approximately 20–25g