Winter Whites have the ability to change the color of their coat to a snowy white about once a year. In their natural habitat this change usually starts in mid to late September in response to the shortening daylight hours. However, by regulating the amount of light they are exposed to in a domestic environment you can regulate if and when the Winter White hamster can begin to change their coat, and the length of time each color remains.

Winter White hamsters are currently available in three accepted colors: Normal, Sapphire, and Pearl. There are other colors that exist but have not yet been formally recognized by breeding associations. These colors include Mandarin, Mushroom, and Moscow.

When not in their winter white coat it can be difficult to tell the Winter White hamster from the Campbell’s Dwarf hamster. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at their body color: the Campbell’s Dwarf hamster tends to be generally a lighter color than the Winter White hamster. Also, take a look at the long stripe running along their backs. Winter White hamsters will have a black or dark brown stripe, while the Campbell’s Dwarf hamster stripe will be a lighter brown color.

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