Sokolov's dwarf hamster


Sokolov's dwarf hamster is a species of rodent in the hamster and vole family Cricetidae. Previously listed as conspecific with Chinese striped hamster, it has been listed as a separate species since 1988. It has a distinctive dark stripe down its back on and otherwise grey body. It is found in China and Mongolia, and lives in burrows beneath desert shrubs.

Taxonomy

Cricetulus sokolovi was previously attributed to C. barabensis obscurus, but was elevated to species status in 1988 due to differences in its chromosomes and fur. It is named for the Russian biologist Vladimir E. Sokolov.

Description

Its fur is grey with a brown-yellow hue with a dark stripe that runs from the back of a specimen's neck to the base of its tail. This stripe is seen more easily in younger animals and fades with age. Its feet are white and its toes curl upwards. It has ears the same color as its fur, with a dark grey spot in the inside middle. It has a head-body-length of between, tail length of and ear length of. The skull is on average between long.

Habitat

Sokolov's dwarf hamster prefers to live in burrows built under desert shrubs in sandy areas. It is found in western and southern Mongolia, including in the northern and eastern Gobi, and in central Inner Mongolia in northern China.
In Mongolia, its main geographical threats are droughts and the drying of water sources. Six percent of its known range in Mongolia is within protected areas.

Reproduction

Reproduction begins in mid-May with two or three litters of between four and nine young produced annually.