The cute and loveable face of the Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster was only discovered 105 years ago and has only been kept in captivity since the late1970's.

The Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster is not a widely known pet. This rodent is not commonly found in households because of the difficulty in handling the species. Though this creature rarely bites, they are very squirmy when held and are extremely fast runners if let loose. Once this rodent is free, it will take a long time to catch one; maybe only a few hours and possibly even days. Another factor leading to the rare ownership of the Roborovskii Hamster, is the lack of availability in pet shops and the scarcity of breeders. But, once found, and if cared for with patience, this Dwarf Hamster can become a nice addition. The Roborovskii is known to be quite sociable with others of its kind and, if introduced early in life, can live peaceably among mixed or same sexed groups, but is also content living a solitary life. This creature is a nocturnal rodent, but has been known to be active for short spurts throughout the day. The average temperament of the Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster is very timid, which can sometimes lead to handling difficulties, but they can provide hours of interesting, observable behavior, such as exercising on a wheel. This hamster loves to use running wheels and can move very swiftly in them. Aside from running on these wheels, if the hamster can get the wheel stuck, so it won't spin any longer, they are likely to use it as an escape tool if the cage door is located at the top or in the lid. This hamster is known to climb upon the wheel, much like a ladder, and try to work the mechanisms of the door in order to free itself.

The Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster averages around four to five centimeters in length. It is known as the smallest domesticated hamster. The normal coloring of this creature is a ginger to golden-orange on top, with an ivory or dark gray underbelly. There is usually a white patch around the nose and distinguishing white eyebrows just above the eyes. Their small bodies are extremely agile and can squeeze through the bars of most wire hamster and mice cages. For this reason, wire cages with thinly spaced bars, glass, or plastic cages are recommended. This hamster doesn't have a distinctive tail, and can become quite round despite their petite and nimble body shape. The average lifespan of the Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster is around three years.

The Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster is a native of Northern China and parts of Mongolia. It was first noted in 1894 by Lt. Roborosky, but would not become domesticated until nearly 80 years later. In the 1970's, the USSR's Moscow Zoo held the first Roborovskii Hamster in captivity, followed later by the Zoological Society of London. These Hamsters did not breed. Eventually, more Roborovskii Hamsters were captured and sent to zoos in the United Kingdom and the United States. Many of the hamsters died from the stress caused by transport, and of the ones that did survive, breeding in these zoos never occurred, though conditions were quite acceptable for these hamsters. Most Roborovskii Dwarf Hamsters are bred by private hamster fanciers and then transported to pet shops and the like.

A glass or plastic cage is highly recommended for these hamsters. These creatures have a very high escaping capability and will often chew through cages made of flimsy material or squeeze through wire cages. They are also very smart when it comes to opening cage doors, so you want to make sure the door firmly latches and that the hamster cannot easily escape.

The care for the Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster is much like that of a normal hamster. A food bowl should be provided with plenty of food, as well as a water bottle with clean water. The bedding should consist of either pine shavings or corncob bedding. A form of exercise tool should be provided, such as a running wheel, along with a salt wheel/block. A nesting box with material, such as tissue, string, cotton, etc., is highly recommended and will help to prevent the hamster from digging large holes or piling the majority of its bedding to one side.

The Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster can eat a normal prepackaged hamster diet along with some occasional greens. They love to have sweet corn, carrots and sunflower seeds as treats.

The Roborovskii Dwarf Hamster will reach sexual maturity at about one year of age and will commonly produce only one to two litters in their entire lifetime. The mother is extremely active in the upraising of her pups. She will normally create a nest for the offspring to sleep in and will incubate them until their fur develops. It takes an average of 10 days for the beginnings of fur to appear. At around 14 days, the pups should open their eyes, and at about 20-22 days, the young should be weaned from their mother. As with the majority of rodents, there should be a sufficient amount of space provided for the new litter. If overcrowding occurs, there will be an increased possibility of tension and cannibalism to the young.