Campbell's giant hamster (Phodopus campbelli maximus)

The Campbell's giant hamster (P. campbelli maximus) is a descendant of the Campbell's dwarf hamster. It is the first successful mammal speciation on Phodopolus, occuring sometime only ~3,000 years post-establishment.

Description: Reaching about 14-16 centimeters in length and ??? grams in weight, the giant hamster resembles a larger version of the Campbell's dwarf hamster with a slightly longer tail. The species come in many colors ranging from brown, black, grey, tan, cream, white, reddish orange, and even tri-colored. The pelt will usually have a white belly.

Diet: It is an omnivore and will opportunisticly eat the food stores and the young of other hamsters, even those within its own species.

Behaviour: The Campbell's giant hamster is even more solitary than its ancestor. The only time it interacts with others of its species is when it's fighting them off, mating, or rearing its own young. Intense competition for food has wired it to be rather aggressive and mischievous.

It will often seek out the burrows of other hamsters and steal whatever food it finds hiding there. Anything small enough to fit into its cheek pouches will do - and that includes young hamsters as well! The dens of the tufted hamster (P. cristatus) are a favorite as they are rather shallow and conspicuous.