coconut.jpg
Step by step guide -
- Firstly, find a nice big coconut to use.
- Using a corkscrew, identify which of the three coconut eyes is the softest. Drain the coconut water and you have yourself a refreshing beverage ready for the rest of the project
- Sand any remaining coconut husk that is on the outside of the shell. I used a dremel tool to do so quickly.
- Draw a circle, approximately 6cm diameter, on the side of the coconut. This will be the opening. You could have multiple openings if you wish.
- If you have a large hole saw, use that. If like me you don't, you can just use a normal drill bit to drill multiple holes around that circle until you can pop the circualr piece of shell out.
- Now for the most time consuming part - removing the flesh. I found a combination of scooping with a spoon and cutting chunks away with a knife worked well. Don't forget to keep the flesh. I plan to use mine to make coconut chips with.
- Once the coconut is completely empty, tidy up the opening hole but sanding it back so it is smooth and won't hurt your hammy.
- Now wash the coconut with warm water. I then dried it and rubbed some coconut oil on the outside.
- At this point you can attach some thick sisal twine /string/ rope through the drilled out coconut eye at the top of the hide and attach it to the top bars of the cage. Make sure it isn't too high for your hamster to get in and out of at ease.
- If you find the hide is spinning too much, drill out one or both remaining eyes and anchor the rope by those holes too.
- You could also drill two holes beneath the opening and attach a rope ladder or something else for your hamster to climb up.
Enjoy!