I'm adopting a Robo! Advice and tips please?

[alpacassei]

I'm hoping to be adopting a roborovski in August and I've only ever had Russians and Syrians so I could do with some advice, and I was wondering if someone could recommend good toys for a robo.

Also what size wheel do they use? Is it the same size as Russians or do they need one a size smaller? Also I'm assuming the minimum cage size is 70 x 40cm as with Russians?

She might have to be temporarily kept in a mini duna fun until I've fixed the bin cages (changing the size of the mesh panels and possible adding side panels), will she be alright in the mini duna fun for a few weeks?

[velma]

My best advice would probably be: a robo's gonna do what a robo's gonna do They're such funny little fellas but you never really know what you're going to get. Some are pretty approachable and you can handle them but as they are lightning quick, I'd recommend to do that over a tub or something in case they jump! Some are really skittish and I think so,long as they're OK with your hand in to feed them then that can be enough. I like to think of robos furry goldfish - great fun to watch but not always a pet to, well, pet!

My last robo Hector was an adoption and be didn't like a larger space. He started out happily in a mini duna, I then tried him in a duna multy which he didn't like & then he went back down to his mini duna and was fine again. So I personally think a smaller cage is find, especially when they're getting settled in as I found it made taming easier.

Hector's wheels were either a 6.5" silent spinner (I've had both the kaytee version and the p@h version. The main difference is the p@h comes with a plastic stand which I didn't like and swapped for a kaytee metal stand) or the blue wheel which came in the mini Duna.

As for toys, he liked his cheese cube thing, loo rolls and hideouts so really just anything they can pop in and out of. And he really liked his sand bath. He seems to prefer a little dish that he could run in & out of.

Robos are a lot of fun and I really miss having one. I'm sure you'll get on great.

[Crystalroborovski]

For my two robos I use a 6.5 inch wheel

The minimum cage size is the same for all species, though it does vary with every hamster on how much space they like to have/occupy.

One of the most important things when owning a robo is to have a lot of patience! Though every robo has its own personality, they are generally more skittish than the other species. I've had my two boys (a separated pair) for over 3 months now. One of them, the more curious boy, has just become tame enough to climb onto my hand and let me pick him up without him jumping out of my hands. I wish I could say the same for the other but he is very skittish and taming has been very difficult. But it is so rewarding when these little guys become tame so never lose hope

They are very fun to watch! Running so fast on their wheels that their legs are little pink blurs, dragging things around their cage, zipping about, burrowing, and doing whatever robos do

[Cinnamon Bear]

I have both my robos in 8in Wodent wheels. This IMO is the best wheel for a robo. They love the little holes on the front panel. It's a little more work cleaning it but all my robos, Latte rip. loved it too.

They love tunnels, cardboard tubes, wooden or grass toys with holes in it. My robos have fairly full cages almost crowded, they seem to like it that way. I gave Latte more space than the two I have now & she enjoyed it as well. Depends on the personality of the hamster, as to what they like. I guarantee that if you get them the Wodent Wheel Jr they will love you!!

Also rice pops are a plus, papaya treats, seeds, millet, some robos like meal worms (dried) but not all. You can tame them as above post said. Latte would run up my arm underneath my sleeve. Paris is more calm than Madison. I feel a stronger bond to Madison tho. Probably cause I had her longer. I LOVE robos, they are my favorite species.

Don't forget about a sand bath with Chinchilla sand

[flowerfairy]

I have an elderly roborovski, Fairy. I did have her sister Flower (rip). Fairy will be two in September.

She loves loo roll inners and any kind of hidey. She has a little wicker tee pee. There are so many cute robo sized toys out there.

She has the wooden karlie wheel from zooplus which she likes to pee on!

She loves to make burrows in her fitch bedding and is keen on drinking water out of her water bowl.

Best of luck with your new addition. They are such funny cute little hamsters. Fairy's cage is full of things and she whizzes over or through all of them foraging for her (scatter fed) food every evening.

[alpacassei]

thank you everyone! What is the best food for Robos? I'm guessing its the burgess dwarf hamster food but it just has Russians on the bag so I'm not sure? (I'm probably over thinking this tbh).

Can robos use flying saucers? I've seen videos of them flying off the saucers before

Also I'm guessing that since they aren't diabetes prone they can eat all the same treats and fruits as Syrians?

thank you again, everyone!

[Drago]

1. I use a mix of Higgins sunburst, Mazuri, and oxbow garden select. However, Burgess dwarf and Harry/hazel hamster are just as sufficient

2. Yes, but make sure there's lots of bedding and no hard objects nearby so they're unlikely to fall off

3. Yes! Just ensure you avoid too much sugar, just as you would with a Syrian

[cypher]

Burgess dwarf hamster harvest would be fine for a robo, even though you don't have the worry about diabetes it's still a good healthy food for any dwarf. Treats that are safe for syrians would be fine, just remember they only eat a fraction of the amount a syrian would though so go easy on the treats! Most dwarf species love small seeds, Burgess has lots of millet so you probably don't need to give more of that as a treat but things like flax (linseed) & hemp would certainly be enjoyed.
Flying saucers are OK but it's better to have an upright wheel for any ham, 20cm is the right size for a robo unless you have one of the older 6.5" silent spinners that actually work then that would be fine too.

[flowerfairy]

I recently adopted a trio of roborovskis who came in a small perfecto tank (12 inches by 24 inches by 16 inches high).

They have two flying saucer wheels and a tunnel and (now) lots of fitch. They are so active and unafraid and happy! I love them all and really enjoy watching them.

Unlike Flower (rip) and Fairy they dont run away from my hand and will climb into a china cup for play box time.

Just remembered a great robo toy, a lot with holes in. They look so cute popping out of the holes!

Good luck with your new hamster. Hope to see pics. when the time comes.

Ps mine have burgess dwarf hamster food and the odd bit of corriander, cucumber and carrot. They like millet sprays too.

[Thin Lizzy]

Alpacassei, I so hope you adopt a robo, great advice has been given by the dwarf experts.