Tail Stamping

[h3rne]

I observed an odd-looking tail behaviour today. I came into the utility room and just before Piccolo rushed down her ramp to the bars (for the expected treat) she stuck her tail straight out, curled her spine under and for want of a better simile, "franked" the platform floor a bit like someone using a rubber stamp (but as far as I could tell, she didn't leave a mark). I've also noticed that despite being cleaned yesterday she pongs strongly of dog biscuits (despite the fact that I've not given her one at all recently).

Is the smell and the behaviour connected? I thought it might be scent-marking, but I thought Syrians had their scent glands on their hips? Or is she "in season" and is this specific to that?

Anyone else seen this?

[souffle]

She is indeed scent marking. Females often do this to attract males. They do it to people two and you sure know if you've been slimed!! It takes ages to wash the smell off.
The smell you describe (we think it smells like twiglets) is the smell of a female during her 4 day cycle. They do smell at all times and you have to be a male hamster to know when it is the smell of an in season female!
Some females smell more than others. Cinnamons are always whiffy we find.
You should always be aware of what is normal for your hamster and if you see a change like a bad smell or blood stained discharge then this can mean an infection and you need to see a vet.