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Old 12-05-2016, 04:01 PM   #1
EagleOwl
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Unhappy Robo Hamsters terrified

Hello,
I have three robo hamsters and unfortunately they had to be separated due to fighting. They are really hyper and absolutely terrified of me. They won't let me touch them or take them out... Any ideas? They are really scared- what do I do? I want my hammies to be happy but they are really scared and I am so sad. Please help me
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Old 12-05-2016, 05:44 PM   #2
chesca_27
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

Most robos never become very tame at all. It is very rare to see one that is fully tame.

Have you tried the tissue trick? Tear up some safe paper bedding, keep it up your sleeve for a while and then let them make a nest with it. Try offering seeds and treats through the bars of the cage to increase their confidence.

How long have you had them?
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Old 12-05-2016, 07:14 PM   #3
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

I have had one rescue robo I adopted almost 2 mo ago & she still won't take a treat from me. She was afraid of the vacuum cleaner tonight. I've taken her out by transporting her to a small plastic taming bin. Didn't work, she getting to be more calm &:comfortable in her cage but the progress is very slow.

I wouldn't try to tame them when they are terrified. I'd do what Chesca suggested for now.
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:24 PM   #4
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

It would help to know a little more, how long you had them & how long since you separated them, what taming steps you have taken & what cages/set ups they have.
You need to give them time to settle without too much interference & do the tissue trick while they settle in, you can continue to do that daily for as long as you need to btw.
Make sure they're happy in their cages, sometimes it takes a while to figure out what works best for each ham but robos often (but not always) don't like too much space or too much open space in the cage.
You really need patience, one step at a time, even if the first step is just standing by the cage talking to them without them running off you would have made progress, then move on to offering treats & slowly gain their confidence.
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Old 12-06-2016, 04:38 AM   #5
flowerfairy
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

You have had some great advice. My two roborovskis had to be separated and took a few weeks to get settled after that.

They are now happy enough but are not wanting to take treats from my hands and will often run away when they see me. I have had them for over a year and spend a lot of time talking softly to them. They do come out and about when I am in the room. I love them but have to accept that they will not be hand tamed.
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Old 12-06-2016, 04:46 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

I would also try and make sure they have a lot of overhead cover in their cages and not too much open space above them. So platforms, large tunnels and tubes, so they can run around the floor area but feel protected from above. Robos are supposed to need this kind of thing, according to my research, but their individual personalities do vary and some will be more outgoing than others.

As the others say, give them time to settle now. Leave them alone for at least 2 or 3 days, and don't do any cleaning or change anything round in the cage for the next 2 weeks. This will allow them to start familiarising themselves with their cage environment, developing habits and routes, scent marking and rearranging things a bit maybe! Adding the odd thing should be fine as long as you don't move things - large cork tunnels are good for providing both a tunnel and head cover and something to climb over. A hammock higher up might help as well (providing they can't get up there or fall from it a long way). They need to be well settled in before you could even try hand taming them gradually. And talk to them gently through the cage/tank so they get used to your voice for a while
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Old 12-06-2016, 07:13 AM   #7
Winterjay
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

I would definitely try the tissue trick that was suggested earlier.

Do they have plenty of places to hide (houses, boxes)? They may not feel safe and/or too exposed. You could try putting cardboard or something half around outside the cage to block the outside view and give them some cover. But be sure they will still have plenty of ventilation.

Also, are they in a busy part of your house (like a hall or living room)? If they are I would put them in a quieter spot.

I've always heard that robos are hard to tame, more difficult, shyer, and not a social as other hamster breeds. They are cute, but not a good beginner pet.

Good luck.
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Old 12-06-2016, 08:16 PM   #8
cocoancheeky8
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Default Re: Robo Hamsters terrified

I have one roborovski and she's also really skittish and hard to tame, I started trying to tame her by giving her treats and using the bathtub method she usually climbs onto my feet and I lift her up and scoop her up with my hands, she sometimes bites but if you're jumpy and don't trust your hamster they wont learn to trust you, for my Syrian Im using the taming method by erinsanimals on YouTube, really helpful
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