New Syrian hamster friend is biting - only when trying to get her used to our hands
Hello Hamster experts! This forum has been so helpful. Thank you.
We've had our first hamster, Valka, for just under a month and she's doing well, seems settled, and not particularly scared. She is curious and comes over, accepts food from our fingers, etc. However...
She is biting when we try to lay a hand flat with a treat in the palm (as a precursor to getting her accustomed to being picked up). She really pierces the skin unfortunately and draws blood when she does this.
It hasn't happened when she appears 'scared'. In each case she has approached the hand while it is flat in the enclosure, with a treat in the palm, not moving. She approaches and then bites a finger instead of climbing on the hand to eat the treat. (And instead of backing away or ignoring the hand).
Any tips? We've been using a cup to transport her without incident, but hope to be able to pick her up in future if possible, when she is ready.
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