Phodopus, a genus of rodents in the hamster subfamily Cricetinae—a division of the larger family Cricetidae—is a lineage of small hamsters native to central Asia that display unusual adaptations to extreme temperatures. They are the only known hamsters that live in groups and, in some cases, rely on significant contributions by males to the raising of offspring. They are nocturnal and active throughout the year; they do not hibernate. Species of Phodopus, together with members of the genera Cricetulus, Allocricetulus and Tscherskia are called dwarf hamsters because of their small size (roughly 7 to 10 centimetres or 2.8 to 3.9 inches) relative to other hamsters.[2]
Like other hamsters, members of Phodopus have a round body shape, short tails and cheek pouches in which they can store food. They all live in dry conditions with extreme temperatures. They inhabit the forests, steppes and semi-deserts of Mongolia, Siberia, China and Kazakhstan. Fossils of Phodopus have been found in Pleistocene and Pliocene deposits in Europe and Asia.
Phodopus species are commonly sold as small pets.[3] They are also used as laboratory organisms for a variety of studies, especially involving seasonal endocrine variation. Some species are considered to be agricultural pests.[4]
All three species are widespread and probably abundant, and are assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List, unlike their larger cousin, the golden hamster, which is also kept as a pet and is listed as Vulnerable (VU).[5][6][7] However, their ecology and population dynamics are not well understood. Historical records indicate they were once common in places where they no longer occur.[8] Consequently, they are listed in the Kazakhstan Government Regulation of Approval of Rare and Endangered Animal and Plant Species Index (2006).[9]
^Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Genus Phodopus". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 1045–6. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^Cite error: The named reference Neumann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Vanderlip was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
China and Kazakhstan. Fossils of Phodopus have been found in Pleistocene and Pliocene deposits in Europe and Asia. Phodopus species are commonly sold as small...
the genus Phodopus. It is ball-shaped and typically half the size of the Syrian hamster, so is called a dwarf hamster along with all Phodopus species....
Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli), the winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and the Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii). Hamsters...
is distinguished from the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) due to its smaller size, sandy coloration...
genus Phodopus, (Russian dwarf hamster, Campbell's dwarf hamster, Roborovski dwarf hamster). Often dwarf hamster is used to refer only to Phodopus. All...
much larger than the Syrian (Mesocricetus auratus) or dwarf hamsters (Phodopus sp.), which are commonly kept as pets, and is the largest known species...
article. Russian hamster may refer to: Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) the Russian winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus)...
Dwarf hamster may refer to: A member of any of the three species of genus Phodopus: Campbell's dwarf hamster Djungarian hamster Roborovski hamster A member...
foods were grey red-backed voles at 47.4%, winter white dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) at 18.4%, steppe pika (Ochotona pusilla) at 7.9%, muskrat at...
the specimens he collected and several are named after him, including Phodopus roborowskii, Carpodacus roborowskii, Adiantum roborowskii, and Cacalia...
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