Cricetulus kamensis
Kam Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus kamensis)
Featured photokam-dwarf-hamster.jpgCricetulus kamensis, the Kam dwarf or Tibetan dwarf hamster, is a small Cricetulus species native to the Tibetan plateau and surrounding ranges of western China and northern India. The species occupies altitudes from approximately 3000 m up to a remarkable 5300 m, the highest elevation recorded for any hamster. Adults reach 9 to 11 cm with a relatively long tail. The IUCN Red List assesses the species as Least Concern.
Quick facts
- Lifespan
- 1.5–2.5 years
Overview
The dorsal coat is grey-brown with a thick winter pelage; the species shows seasonal coat variation but no full photoperiod-driven moult of the Phodopus type. The proportionally long tail and the dense underfur are adaptations to the cold, dry plateau habitat.
Distribution
The wild range covers the Tibetan plateau (Kham, Amdo, and central Tibet), Qinghai, parts of Sichuan and Gansu, and the Ladakh region of northern India. Habitat is open alpine grassland, rocky scree, and semi-desert between 3000 and 5300 m elevation — the highest range of any Cricetinae.
Behaviour
Diurnal in the high-altitude parts of the range, partly because nocturnal temperatures fall too low for activity. The species nests in rock crevices and shallow burrows beneath grass tussocks, and does not hibernate despite the harsh winter climate — instead the metabolic rate is reduced and stored seed is consumed through the winter months.
Taxonomy
Cricetulus kamensis was described by Satunin in 1903 from a specimen collected in the Kham region of eastern Tibet. The taxonomic relationship to the disputed C. alticola and C. lama remains unresolved; some authors lump the three taxa, while modern molecular work tends to recognise kamensis at species rank.
Sources & further reading (2)
- iucn-red-list — accessed 2026-04-29
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
How high does the Kam dwarf hamster live?
Records extend to 5300 m elevation in the Tibetan plateau — the highest altitude reported for any hamster species. Habitat below about 3000 m is largely unoccupied.
Is the species the same as the Tibetan or Ladak hamster?
The taxonomic limits between C. kamensis, C. alticola (Ladak), and C. lama remain unresolved. Some authors treat them as a single species; modern molecular work tends to recognise kamensis as a separate species and to leave the alticola/lama complex pending further sampling.
Does the species hibernate?
No — Cricetulus kamensis remains active through the high-altitude winter, relying on stored seed and a reduced metabolic rate rather than true hibernation.
