Hamster started climbing walls

[Ceeytea]

My hamster has started trying to climb up her enclosure.

She lives in 40X47(w)x96(l), there is a panel at that back for ventilation and she keeps on trying to use that to reach the top. She has a sand bath, wheel, and plenty of toys to keep her occupied.

She’s been in the enclosure for 2 months and just started doing it. I’m worried because she keeps on falling. Even though it’s not very high she does it quite often.

Does anyone know if this is normal behaviour?

[CMB]

Could you add a photo of the cage, to show the layout? It may help people make suggestions of things to change or add/remove.

A level/platform next to where she climbs could help stop her falling as far. Having two access ramps, one each end can encourage her to run up one end, go across the level/platform and back down the other end.

Distraction can help unwanted climbing and other behaviours.

[Ceeytea]

She’s now also started chewing on the metal ventilation panel and that top bar when she can reach it.

She’s 3 months old, and has never chewed on the panel before.

[cypher]

It's a job to tell from the photo how much substrate you have but it doesn't look that deep so maybe add more (about 20cm or more) so she can dig & burrow, that might help.
There are some good ideas in the bar chewers thread for distractions that might help.
Managing Bar Chewers
Have you tried whimzee dog chews for her? They usually love those so that might help too.

[SKB_Hamsters]

This isn't normal behaviour for a hamster to do. From the picture of the cage layout I agree with cypher that she does need more substrate so she can dig and make tunnels if she wants to as a burrow box isn't best at providing this. Your cage looks like it full of enrichment however a the cheese cube isn't safe for Syrians as the diameters of the holes are too small and one of my past hamsters got stuck in something similar. Pringle tubes work better for Syrians than toilet paper tube as they don't have to squeeze through them.

How often does your hamster have time outside her cage? with my girls I find giving them plenty of time outside their cage in a playpen helps to expend some of their energy.

[Ceeytea]

I’ve changed the enclosure around, and given her about 5-6inches to dig in. And as per the chewing article I’ve hung up some of her toys.

Does this look ok?

SKB hamsters- Nugget is quite a small Syrian, when she goes through the holes I can see a gal. But thanks for letting me know about the toy, I’ll keep an eye on it in case she gets bigger.

She comes out once in the morning before I go to work, and once in the evening before I go to bed. Both times for around 20 mins.

Does anyone have any recommendations for distractions or chews?

[SKB_Hamsters]

The improvements you made do look good. How is Nugget finding it?

Good distractions can be scatter feeding food around cage and hiding treats inside toilet paper tubes. Chew toys which my hamster loves to chew on are willow sticks and Whimzee dog chews.