See also the section: Which species should I get?

Winter whites are generally slower moving, friendly hamsters. They get their name from the fact that they will turn white when the days are short and the weather is cold (i.e. in the winter time). Winter whites love sunflower seeds and can tend to get obese.

Some winter whites have no problem staying with each other but others will attack their cagemates fiercely and repeatedly. Even siblings are not spared. Further attempts to keep the pair together usually fail. In such cases, the hamsters have to live alone or you will have to find other hamsters to pair the two with. I know that it can be sad to separate the two and you can be quite reluctant to do so, but if you don't, they could end up badly hurt.

From my experience, winter whites are very sensitive to heat and easily get heatstroke. In the hotter days of the year, always make sure you provide enough water, and put your hamster's cage someplace cool.

Winter whites can fall on their backs in play or in attempts to jump out but they should be able to right themselves rather quickly.