Just got a male syrian and he's hiding in a tube...

awesomedough · 11-06-2017, 04:23 PM

I just got a 9 week old male syrian, and for the first hour or so he hid in a house, then he got some food that i put in front of it, and a little bit later i saw him out and about exploring his cage and foraging for food. This was incredible, as i'd heard about hamsters normally spending the first day or two hidden, and i was overjoyed. He seems to leave his tube for about five minutes, do stuff in his sand and forage, then he'll crawl back in and wont come back out for a while. i just find this odd, because he has two houses, one on the upper level, but he chooses to stay in his tube. is this because he find it comforting or some other reason?

Thin Lizzy · 11-06-2017, 08:25 PM

Congratulations on your new ham, every hamster is different when it comes to them settling into their new home. I would suggest removing the tube as they can become awkward when checking on your ham, the reason he's taken to the tube is it's narrow and safe where he'll be able to block up both sides preventing you from access and also these tubes can become very smelly and hard to clean.
I would put extra substrate and toilet tissue in both houses. Try the tissue trick where you stuff some toilet tissue up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours and then put in his cage, this let's him get familiar with your scent, my hams have always pouched it and used it as extra bedding. Do this everyday for a week, talking quietly and softly, also praise him everytime he appears, this will build up his confidence and trust.

cypher · 11-07-2017, 01:05 AM

Congrats on your new ham

As Lizzy said it's best to remove tubes from cages with new hams as they will often do this & the tube will very quickly become unhealthy & it will become difficult & stressful for both him & you when you need to get him out.
Houses on levels don't work for them as they need a house with no base & a good deep layer of substrate underneath so they can burrow down & make a nice nest.

awesomedough · 11-07-2017, 04:25 AM

thanks, guys! it's actually amazing- he's already eating food from my fingers and he's moved into a proper house! Its my second day of having him and he already feels safe enough that he's eating from my fingers. this is probably because i got him from wood greens (a rehoming centre), and they are very good with animals. it also helps that they gave me bedding that has his scent on it. Im really looking forward to working on my relationship with him more and more, and i think i've come to the right place for friendly help! ;P

CMB · 11-07-2017, 06:02 AM

Congratulations on getting your hamster. Hopefully he will gain confidence and you will be able to handle him soon.

Thin Lizzy · 11-09-2017, 07:09 AM

What's your ham called?
So wonderful that he's eating from your fingers. He will have had a lot of handling in the re-homing centre which is great as many pet shops wouldn't.

Turrican · 11-09-2017, 10:30 AM

Hey awesomedough! Congratulations on your new hamster. He sounds sweet! Would love to see some pics!

SimonandSyril · 11-09-2017, 10:35 AM

Congrats on your new friend! Hand feeding is great progress from not coming out of his tube; I'm so happy for you!!

awesomedough · 11-10-2017, 05:20 PM

Thanks all so much

His name is simon, and just an hour ago i saw him running on his wheel for the first time! not sure about pics, they'll be a pain to upload ;P but ill try. he's a real sweetie and loves his scrambled eggs. Just gave him some to celebrate!
Also, yeah, lizzy, they handled him a bunch, but i just want to make sure he's fully comfortable with me, so im going to go through the whole training process. Unfortunately, a few nights ago i was being an idiot and accidentally dropped him! Luckily, he sustained no injuries and is better than ever! i gave him a couple of days, and he's already back to his normal self, often taking treats from me and freely wandering about his cage. Im so lucky to have found this forum, as it's possibly the kindest and best community i've ever spoken with, and i consider myself truly blessed with both an adorable, lovely little hammy, and an amazing community i feel i can share anything with.

P.S. the adoption centre was wood greens, and they gave us lots of tubes, a wheel, a chew, and tonnes of substrate that smelled like him free. They also gave us a perfect cage for 35 pounds, he was 10, and the carry cage was 2! An amazing place that i would recommend to anyone living near one.

Pebbles82 · 11-11-2017, 02:37 PM

So nice he is getting tame with you and settling in. Yes I've read Wood Green's website and seen some of their videos - it looks like a good rescue. And they care where the hamsters go. Maybe you could write a kind of review of your experience adopting from them and how they work and ask if it can be a sticky under the breeders and rescue facilities section. Then other people thinking about adopting can find out more about it