Roborovski
About
Roborovskis are the tiniest and fastest of all pet hamster species — barely the size of a thumb. They are best enjoyed as display pets due to their incredible speed and delicate size.
History
Named after Russian explorer Lieutenant Vsevolod Roborovski who first observed them in 1894 in the Gobi Desert. They were kept in European zoos starting in the 1960s and only became widely available as pets in the 1990s.
🧠 Temperament
Extremely fast and skittish. Not ideal for handling but fascinating to watch. Best kept in groups of same-sex pairs.
🏠 Care Notes
Smaller wheel is ok (6–8 inches). Despite their size, they still need a large cage for the enrichment. Handle with extreme care — they can easily escape.
✨ Fun Fact
Roborovskis can run the equivalent of four marathons every night on their wheel.