The Tibetan dwarf hamster (Urocricetus alticola) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.

It is found not only in Tibet and China, but also in India and Nepal in mountainous regions at altitudes of up to about 5,200 m (17,100 ft).

The ears are a darker shade of brown, contrasting with the body colour, and have pale rims at their tip and a small tuft of white hairs at their base.

It occupies an assortment of different habitats including coniferous and birch forests, desert steppes, shrubland, swampy grassland and Alpine meadow.

It digs a simple burrow that may extend 50 cm (20 in) beneath the surface of the ground and which includes nesting areas and chambers to store food for use in winter.