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Old 09-07-2016, 04:36 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Natural themed hamster bin cage

Agree - I went through the living plant scenario and decided it's too risky - soil/peat or whatever is damp and produces mould spores. A lot of natural german cages create the living natural look with "sprigs" of millet stuck in the substrate to look like mini grasses or trees. I don't think there's much green in the dessert anyway

As for natural things, I think the cork logs look really good and some of them have a natural dried moss stuck to the outside (I stuck mine in the freezer to make sure nothing was living in the cork or mossy bits!). They don't just give a natural look/terrain but can also be climbed over and make a good dark tunnel. Using Aspen or hemp substrate (or mixed aspen and paper or mixed aspen and hemp eg) can also add to the natural look and be good for tunneling. Although I think natural paper looks fine as well (like the Oxbow Pure Comfort bedding or Boxo eg, and I think Carefresh make a natural colour too).

This kind of thing

https://www.amazon.com/Trixie-Cork-T...ds=cork+tunnel

These are the millet sprays

https://www.amazon.com/F-M-Browns-42...eywords=millet

I think the photo below gives a good example of a natural theme with millet sprays. It has stones for texture as well and to separate levels/areas of sand and substrate (stones would need sterilising).

This is a nice natural set up as well, in a Maxi Duna Multy which is basically the same as a 100cm Zoozone 2. There are green bits in that but wouldn't recommend it unless they are loofah or hemp type fake ones as Velma suggested. The cork logs are used well in this one and one leads down to a "subterranean" house - ie a house part buried and if you have a house with a lift off roof you can check inside without having to takethe house out.

Obi's natural set up is complete!

Personally I wouldn't join two bin cages. It would work much better to get a bigger bin cage or a glass tank - hamsters do best with continuous floorspace and when you have two joined areas they can end up ignoring one area or start blocking off the access.

This Sterilite bin is a good size, has a locking lid and isn't too expensive. The height is a bit on the low side at 13.5" tall, but it would be fine for a dwarf hamster, allowing for depth of bedding and an 8" wheel. The vent holes would need to be cut near the top to allow for depth of bedding.

Sterilite 116 Qt. Ultra Storage Box-19908604 - The Home Depot

You can also get sisal vegetables

https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Sisal-Ca...oredom+breaker

And natural looking toys that are also fun for hamsters. I have this trio of balls - I like the water hyacinth one best as it's nice and soft with no sharp bits. You can stick sunflower seeds or other treats under the woven bits so the hamster has fun getting them out.

https://www.amazon.com/Boredom-Break...4QAA86P0MHXSBJ

You could scatter the odd piece of dried dandelion leaf or root or other hamster safe herbs on top to give a natural green effect too. Not too much as although dandelion is good for them, too much isn't. Our Syrian goes crazy for a piece of dandelion root to gnaw, so it's good for his teeth and looks like a twig

https://www.amazon.com/Dandelion-Hea...dandelion+leaf

You need to be careful with dried herb leaves though for sharp bits and stalks that can poke their eyes or pouches.

Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-26-2022 at 05:52 PM.
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