Compared to the more common golden hamster, dwarf hamsters are small weighing an average of 40 grams and measuring about three inches long.
Dwarf hamsters have a plumb body, expandable cheek pouches and large eyes.
Though they are nearsighted they depend more on their sense of smell and hearing. Dwarf hamsters, unlike the golden hamster, are sociable and are capable of living with others of their kind. They have an average life span of two years and a gestation period of approximately sixteen days. And a litter ranging from 4 to 6 which means that they are fast breeders and easy to acquire for laboratory experiments as well as pets. Hamsters eat a large variety of foods and are known to be nocturnal animals, being most active at night.