New Robo running back and forth

[Rhea101]

Hello all.
Yesterday we purchased a Robo from petco. It is currently in a 20 gal tank with a wheel, a house, and food/water, and toys. It was doing ok and checking out its surroundings when it first woke up, but after we moved a the wheel around, the hamsters has just been running around one section of the wall back and forth and standing on its legs. Sometimes he stops to climb other things.

Back at Petco, it was in a small tank with 2 other hamsters. I’m worried about him running back and forth constantly. Is he just spooked by his new home? Or is there something wrong with him, and what can we do? How long until this becomes a problem? Any advice is appreciated!

[Ria P]

Was there a good reason to move the wheel?
Hamsters need time to settle in and get familiar with their new surroundings so moving things is not a good idea.
Is his water bottle working? Can he easily get to his food and water? Does he have deep enough substrate to burrow? Deep substrate is very important to a Robo and they like the soft paperbased one.
My Robo was a bit frantic when he first moved in but soon settled when he discovered his sand bath which he loves.

You could post a photo of your set up to see if there's anything that may unsettle your Robo.

[LunaTheHamster1]

How big is the cage in cm/inches? I'm just asking as I see all the time people say 20 gallons is too small and I think they recommend 40 gallon. I'm just wondering if he is bored in a too small a space.
Like Ria suggests if you can post a picture of the set up we may be able to help further.

[Vierville]

Hello.

Maybe try putting the wheel back where it was prior to you moving it? You said this behaviour began after you moved the wheel?

I would suggest trying that. A photo of his setup will definitely help us to pick up if there is anything you can change or move.

[Ithuviel]

Yes a photo will help us tell you what to do. And/or if you could give us a video of the behavior it will be much appreciated.

[Pebbles82]

He sounds stressed. As mentioned above, they need settling in time. Usually leave them alone for a couple of day’s as it’s a big change of environment coming to your home., And don’t clean or change anything for the first two weeks while they are fully making it their home and adjusting. During this time they also scent mark everything and leave scent trails to find their way around.

Obviously if something is unsafe you have to change it or move it but generally they feel invaded by this.

Do it is most likely moving the wheel during the early styling period. They also need a good house and plenty of depth of bedding to feel secure and to be in the dark when they need to be.

20 gallon is a bit small for a Robo- they are very active. A good cage size would be 80 x 50 Cm floor area or bigger - eg a 40 gallon breeder tank or 90cm eco terra terrarium .

[Rhea101]

Thank you everyone. The tank is 2ftx1ft I believe.We will avoid handling the tank for a week or two.
He has a working water bottle and food (But I don’t think he’s drank any water yet). He has enough substrate to bury himself in too. We moved the wheel but I think what scared him was he saw the hand. I added a link with photos of the set up and will add a video of him pacing when he wakes up.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...7uUZpSYfrifOEs

[Ria P]

The tank looks bare which could well be the reason that your robo is stressed. They don't like to feel exposed, it scares them. Its easily fixed though by adding enrichment and a sand bath. Keep in mind that you have to support heavy items underneath so they don't fall on top of a hamster. I use the Ferplast guinea pig houses minus the front panel.
Have a look at the "Let's see you cages" thread under Housing on the Forum for inspiration and ideas.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Hi, looking at your picture i think the pacing your hamster is doing is probably because he is bored and/or stressed. You can try adding more enrichment to the set up. You can do this by adding some boxes and.or tunnels, you don't always have to buy things, have a look around your house/recycling and see what you have got that will make a good tunnel etc. It's hard to see in the pic, but have you got any boredom breakers for him? These are easily made from toilet roll tubes. Do a search on Youtube. loads of people make them and they cost nothing, you can just put some of your hamster food and bedding inside of them. The idea is that you need to be filling up all that empty space in his cage so he feels more secure and got places to hide and things to do and interact with.

[sushi_78]

How is he now? My Robo spent hours pacing the first night I had her, a bit the second night, but never since. I believe it was from the stress of moving. Your tank does look quite bare though so I think some extra hides might help.