Hamsters have short tails, large cheek pouches, small eyes and a variety of coat colors. Hamster's hair length can vary, some can have short hair and others can have long hair.
Adults are generally 10 cm to 15 cm (4" to 6") long and females can get up to 18 cm (7") long. They have no hair on their feet, 4 toes on their front feet and five on their back feet.
The fur on a long-haired hamster is thick and fluffy, like a cotton wool, rather than the velvety feel of short-haired fur. For this reason, people who are not allergic to short-haired hamsters can be allergic to long-haired ones.
If you have a female hamster, remember they are in heat every four days, and they smell strongly. Be sure to keep your hamster in a well-ventilated area to reduce the odor but be careful to maintain a warm temperature and avoid drafts.