When you think about a hamster you don't always think dwarf. Dwarf hamsters are tiny and adorable. They are simply mini versions of the big hamsters you find in pet stores. China has a large population of these animals so they are commonly called Chinese. A dwarf hamster grow to be as large as 4 inches. They have very short legs and big heads. Most dwarf hamsters have a dorsal stripe on their body. There are several different colors of hamsters that can tell you which type of dwarf hamster you have. Some are completely black and their dorsal stripes are also black.

There are also hamsters with dark brown fur that can be mistaken as a black hamster. Some people have said that Opal dwarf hamsters are the most unique of them all. They are silver and blue with white undersides and gray dorsal stripes. Albinism means a lack of pigment and it happens to many animals. Albinos are white all over their body with pale pink skin. The either have blood-red or pink colored eyes. Most of them are dark eyed with patches of colors on their coats. A common misconception people make is that the winter white dwarf is not an albino. This hamster is only white during the winter season and maintains dark eyes with a silver dorsal stripe. Albino Syrians were found in the 1950s. Russia did not discover there's until the late 1980s.

There are some albinos that are born without their eyes and only live to be a year old, when the usual life span is about three years, according to the UK Hamster Society. Red eyes may be prone to albinos but they can occur in many other types. It is not yet known if red-eyed ones have better, worse or the same vision as the dark eyed ones. Most of these small animals already have poor vision. Taking care of these tiny creatures isn't much different from taking care of any other animal you might own. You need to make sure that there is a designated place for the hamster to have his or her own domain. You will need to feed and water them everyday, if there is uneaten food you should throw it away as soon as you notice it.

About once a week their bedding should be changed to avoid a nasty smell and a dirty hamster. These small animals are really quite adorable and can easily fit into the palm of your hand. They are sensitive though, you may need to shower your pet with love and attention especially if you only brought home one.