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Old 01-13-2017, 04:08 AM   #1
GreySyrian
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Default The Difference Between Squabbling and Fighting

In correlation to my other thread, I am trying to suggest that my college split a dwarf hamster from It's colony as I strongly believe it is being bullied and is injured.

I would really appreciate anyone who knows information or good links which explain the difference between squabbling and fighting, and at what point dwarf hamsters should be separated.

The hamster I'm concerned about is ...
- Smaller than the others
- Keeps away from others as much as he can
- Dried blood on injuries on tail and ear, along with bite marks on his back which seemed to be causing pain
- Squeaking when approached
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Old 01-13-2017, 04:31 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: The Difference Between Squabbling and Fighting

I don't have any specific links but my interpretation would be that any minor battles/fall outs over food, toys, hideouts etc that are quickly resolved without intervention could be called squabbles.
Fighting is different & may be spontaneous, not necessarily over any particular item & will usually result in injuries which may even be too small to be noticed without close attention but these will generally escalate & once a hamster is injured it will most likely continue to e picked on & fought with as with prey animals it's a natural instinct to chase out weak, injured or sick animals that may attract predators & therefore endanger other hamsters. This obviously can't happen in captivity so fights will continue although at this point I think it's probably more appropriate to call them attacks rather than fights as the injured ham may not be able to fight back.
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Old 01-13-2017, 06:19 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: The Difference Between Squabbling and Fighting

It sounds like semantics really. You could even describe them as being aggressive. Squabbling suggests something milder than fighting, but squabbles can be physical as well. If someone is trying to make light of fighting and calling it "squabbling" I would say the difference between the two could be whether or not injury has been sustained.

If injury is sustained then it has been a fight. A squabble maybe could include aggressive behaviour and boxing without serious injury. But as you and I know squabbling can easily lead to fighting.

It could be called so many things - squabbling, being aggressive, attacking or fighting. Some words have more power to sound serious than others. Squabbling sounds like playing down aggression.

I would say your little dwarf hamster has been attacked and injured from the attack and is the subject of aggressive behaviour and attacks from other hamsters, and is made more vulnerable to attack by his injuries and size.

Sorry don't know if that helps at all. I'm not sure where you'd find an authoritative definition. The RSPCA tend to word things in vague language sometimes.

There is a bit on this page from the Southern Hamster Club (affiliated to the National Hamster Council if you need to quote that!)

"In the wild Campbell’s live in family groups/colony’s, and indeed in captivity this species can cohabit with their own kind, however owners should be aware that squabbles can occur, as in the confinements of a cage the animals are unable to get away from any cage mate they fall out with. Where squabbles turn into serious fighting the hamsters will need to be separated before serious injuries occur."

I think you could conclude from that, that squabbling has turned to fighting because injuries have occurred. Hope that helps.

Campbell's Hamster
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Old 01-13-2017, 06:33 AM   #4
souffle
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Default Re: The Difference Between Squabbling and Fighting

You could also mention 'bullying'. A hamster that is constantly being harassed, picked on, not allowed in certain areas and is being kept away from food will exhibit stress related symptoms such as hiding away, weight loss, keeping away from the others, timidness. There hamsters are constantly on high alert as they are constantly secreting stress hormones which lead to loss of condition as well as stress on the organs.
Wild groups are not quite the same as captive kept animals as wild groups are a mixture of ages and sexes. Single sex groups are not a natural situation and this alone can lead to tension within the group.
I would say bullying and the mental health of the hamster is equally as important as physical injuries in some cases.
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