The Chinese Ratlike Hamster is not as popular as a pet as some other hamster breeds, but that doesn't mean they don't make great companions!

The Chinese Ratlike Hamster is a member of the Ratlike family of hamsters, who by in large more closely resemble mice than hamsters. The Chinese Ratlike Hamster is not as common as some other hamster breeds, and so they may be hard to find. If you are lucky enough to find one they make excellent pets and are essentially the same as keeping a "regular" hamster around. Be careful when housing the Chinese Ratlike Hamster, like other hamsters, they can squeeze themselves right through a wire cage. Make sure the cage is secure; hamsters love to try to get out of their cages! You'll want to keep the cage nice and soft, so of course, bedding is required. Newspaper will work; it's a cheap alternative to bedding found in pet stores. You can always go with the classic wood shaving bedding, but go with non-scented woods that won't kick up much dust. Chinese Ratlike Hamsters can be fed a commercial hamster diet. The Chinese Ratlike Hamster is a social animal, and several can be kept together so long as they have been raised together. Females, however, can be very aggressive towards males during breeding season, and so may need to be kept separately. Breeding colonies may be kept so long as their enclosure is very large and there are plenty of hiding places for males if the female gets to aggressive. Overall, the Chinese Ratlike Hamster is a fascinating little rodent that will make a great pet.

The Chinese Ratlike Hamster is unique from other hamsters because it looks more like a mouse than a hamster. They have long bodies, instead of a typical short hamster body. They have mouselike faces, and their coats have a greyish brown top coat with a darker undercoat. They also have a black stripe along the spine. In addition to the normal color, there are also several color mutations and varieties including the "Dominate Spot", white, albino, sapphire and argente. Most varieties will have a white to gray stripe that trails across their backs and their bellies.

The Chinese Hamster is originally from Northern China and Mongolia and was first bred outside China in 1957. Oddly enough, although it is classified as a nocturnal species, the Chinese Ratlike Hamster is often active in daytime, making it easier for owners to handle them!

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Chinese Ratlike Hamsters are rather difficult to breed. If you are successful, females will undergo a gestation period of approximately 18 to 20 days and are often quite aggressive during the entire breeding period. Because of their potential for aggressive behavior some breeders advise separating the females after the are pregnant.Their litters average four to six helpless babies that need to be nursed for about two weeks. At approximately four months of age the babies will be independant.