Can hamsters be territorial over a certain area?

[mazzypan]

So I got my handsome Syrian pretty much a week ago now and the taming has been going great considering he wasn’t handled much previously. He ate out of the palm of my hand for the first time on day 5 and again on day 6 which was yesterday. However, yesterday he bit me! It was completely my fault as I moved my thumb by accident which must have startled him and he bit so hard it wouldn’t stop bleeding. But then again today, I used a sock to give him some treats in the same place (which is on a little ledge where his sand bath and a wooden house is - any time he hears me speaking he comes right up to the bars as he’s figured out human = food) and after eating everything, like last time, he tried to bite me again I was so glad I had a sock over

I was wondering if hammies get territorial in a certain area as he was completely fine the day before, eating out of my hand a couple times, and he only nibbled gently out of curiosity. That was on the ground of his cage though. While researching I read someone’s reply to a post on a forum and they said their hammie is least aggressive near the food bowl, so I’m sure hamsters can get territorial or just more nervy in an area of their cage? I wouldn’t know why he’d be nervy on the ledge, he only goes up there to use his sand bath and occasionally go in the big hut.

I’m going to try again with a sock tonight but rub the sock in the bedding a lot, which I did do with my hand last night just not this morning. Also, he’s never been out of his cage and I don’t think he will for a while, of course. I forgot to mention that after he bit me last night he went quiet and went into his hut despite usually being hyper at that time. This morning he looked like he wanted more food as he went crazy for the treats I gave, also probably because I was speaking softly to him but I was like ‘dood why u bite me again’

Thank you! - Maisie

[SKB_Hamsters]

Some hamsters can be a little territorial of their cage or certain parts of their cage - although found with my Syrians if they are nervous individuals they don’t like me touching anything in their cage if they are still in there - one of my girls would charge over whereas a few would timidly approach.

Does he seem nervous or timid at all?

From my experience with taming I find it best to do outside the cage in a safe play pen when I’m sitting in it - so they can get used to my scent and get familiar with me. I also don’t like to feed treat by hand when taming so they don’t associate my hand with food - however once taming session is over leave a treat in their cage that way they get something nice for being out. I would also make sure you wash your hand with unscented soap before getting her out to remove any traces of possible food.

[Pebbles82]

What SKB said - my experience is they don't like a hand in their cage - the cage is their territory, and a new, young syrian will be nervy and scared. They do behave completely differently out of the cage.

Having said that it could also be cage stress if the cage is small. I had that with our last syrian whose first cage was not only much too small but had terrible ventilation - he swung between being depressed and attacking my hand. Moved him to a bigger cage within 3 weeks, and he was happy as larry. Although it did take 10 days for him to settle and he freaked out a bit at first.

[mazzypan]

Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters

Some hamsters can be a little territorial of their cage or certain parts of their cage - although found with my Syrians if they are nervous individuals they don’t like me touching anything in their cage if they are still in there - one of my girls would charge over whereas a few would timidly approach.

Does he seem nervous or timid at all?

From my experience with taming I find it best to do outside the cage in a safe play pen when I’m sitting in it - so they can get used to my scent and get familiar with me. I also don’t like to feed treat by hand when taming so they don’t associate my hand with food - however once taming session is over leave a treat in their cage that way they get something nice for being out. I would also make sure you wash your hand with unscented soap before getting her out to remove any traces of possible food.

Thank you!

He isn’t nervous at all when I come up to the cage and speak to him, he’ll come up to the bars or he’ll happily eat his treats or play in his sand bath. I tried again putting my hand in to give treats with my hand in a sock and I’m pretty sure he tried to bite again I’m starting to think it’s the sock that weirds him out. Is a week of having him too soon to bring him into the bath with blankets and toys and treats? I’m too scared now to put my hand in the cage so I feel like getting him used to me would hinder if I just left it :/ Also, he definitely isn’t showing any signs of stress or timidness - he’s eating/drinking amazingly, active on his wheel and doesn’t freeze when I come into the room, he gets excited. I feel guilty and I regret doing the sock thing, I’m just terrified of my tiny impulsive ham

[mazzypan]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

What SKB said - my experience is they don't like a hand in their cage - the cage is their territory, and a new, young syrian will be nervy and scared. They do behave completely differently out of the cage.

Having said that it could also be cage stress if the cage is small. I had that with our last syrian whose first cage was not only much too small but had terrible ventilation - he swung between being depressed and attacking my hand. Moved him to a bigger cage within 3 weeks, and he was happy as larry. Although it did take 10 days for him to settle and he freaked out a bit at first.

I don’t think it’s cage stress as he seems pretty happy and his cage is a decent size, I’ll link it at the end. I’m thinking of bathtub bonding with him tomorrow. it’s only been a week since I got him but since he seems pretty comfortable with me other than the biting when I put my hand in. Do you have any advice for this or should I leave it a little longer before I start taking him out? I’m so scared now to put my hand near him, even though, I’m hoping, it was just the sock lol

His cage:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Shannonmcn]

I would drop the sock completely. He’s not going to recognise that as your hand (because it isn’t, it is a sock) so if he bites that he doesn’t know he’s biting you and it’s only going to make you more nervous. I think anyway. He won’t want to bite you unless he’s scared. Keep hands moving nice and slow, let him come to you till he learns that the hand is You and you bring food and treats and fun. You’ve already been bitten and the world didn’t end, I know it hurts and oh BOY does it bleed but you’re both just learning, misunderstandings happen! I actually have a little scar from my first ham chomping down on my finger about 20 years ago now and it’s a little treasure lol

I don’t see any harm taking him out of the cage after a week, if he’s settled enough with his new home. If it gets too much for him you can always just put him back and try again tomorrow. Have you got a reliable way to get him out of the cage without using your hands? Big mug with your hand over the top or a wide tube can work if you don’t have a proper little pet carrier.