11.

Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamster

Cricetulus sokolovi

French: Hamster de Sokolov / German: Sokolow-Zwerghamster / Spanish: Hamster enano de Sokolov

Taxonomy. Cricetulus sokolovi Orlov & Malygin, 1988, SW shore of Lake Orog Nuur, Bayan Hongor, W Mongolia.

Cricetulus sokoloviis in the barabensis species group. It was formerly united with C. barabensis but raised to full species status based on chromosomal and pelage characteristics described by V. N. Orlov and V. M. Malygin in 1988. Samples from Mongolia that had been identified as C. obscurus are now considered synonymous with C. barabensis .

Monotypic.

Distribution. Mongolia and N China (Inner Mongolia [= Nei Mongol]).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 77-114 mm; tail 18-32 mm, ear 13-19 mm, hindfoot 13-18 mm; weight up to 60 g. Dorsal pelage of Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamster is gray, with brownish yellow or walnut-gray shade and clear black stripe along dorsal mid-line from neck to base of tail; stripe fades with age. Tail color is like body but lighter below. Ears have a dark spot in the center. Feet are white and not flat. Skull length is 23-26 mm. Karyotypeis 2n = 20.

Habitat. Lake valleys with Achnatherum splendens (Poaceae) and Caragana spp. (Fabaceae) and sandy environments in semi-deserts.

Food and Feeding. Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamster eats seeds and insects.

Breeding. Reproduction starts mid-May, and a female has 2-3 litters in a year, each with 4-9 young.

Activity patterns. Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamster is nocturnal and does not hibernate.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrows of Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamsters are preferentially built under desert shrubs and have two entrances.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Droughts threaten Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamsters in Mongolia, but itis not clear if they are caused by human activity or natural changes. Six percent of its known distribution in Mongolia is in protected areas.

Bibliography. Batsaikhan & Smith (2016), Batsaikhan et al. (2014), Musser & Carleton (2005), Orlov & Malygin (1988), Smith & Hoffmann (2008).