Question about Chit-chit-chit noise

[fluffymunchkins]

From the sound on the video, I relate the noise to when hamsters feel fustrated. I've often heard it when my syrians are trying to get behind something or occasionally if I pick them up after floortime has finished.
So I'd say she just wanted to be left alone for a minute
I hope she gains a little confidence, Batman is easily spooked by sudden movements or noises, but he has gotten better over time x

[walfy]

It is not a sign of aggression, she was bruxing. Bruxing is the soft, repetitive grinding of the incisors against each other. It serves to sharpen the incisors and usually done periodically in times of relaxation or some strong emotional mood. The body language should give you some clue to as the mood she is in. If you are stroking her when she does it then she is content relaxed, if she is nervous or jittery she will do it to calm herself down, and may be best to leave her alone for a while. They rarely do it whilst moving, and it may also be heard during sleep as it is a subconscious behavior.

[Catherine Spark]

Originally Posted by walfy

They rarely do it whilst moving

Interesting to hear that about bruxing, as she was very still whilst doing it. And she seemed very tired, comparing her body language with the body language of the following night, which was immediately followed by a nap in her nest. So maybe she was just fretting out of tiredness. She seems a lot more confident and tame now, and less jittery in general (if not any less speedy!). Been giving her a good regular routine involving plenty of specific handling time (as opposed to ball time or toy time). Even found a tickly spot, and she'll jump onto my knee spontaneously now. So hopefully if it's bruxing it will now just occur as something subconscious, or a sign of relaxation.

I don't think I have ever experienced the angry chattering then - thank goodness and touch wood! Would someone try and describe what that is like, or post a youtube video if there is one, so I know it when I see it and don't mistake it for bruxing? Thank you for all the responses to this - really helps!

[StarlightSerenity]

Luna rubs her teeth when she's annoyed and/or frustrated. She'll do it at me if I keep stopping her going somewhere (like off the edge of the sofa!) or when she's busy chewing boxes in her playpen and I'm trying to get her to come out Never heard her make these sorts of noises though! She squeaks too - woke me up at 4am last night doing it Haven't worked out why she does that though.