Sleepy Stan

[Cookie Monster]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking in the background of this site for a while, but I have a question I'd love your advice about.

My Hamster, Stan, is about 7 weeks old, he's been with us since just before Christmas. He's a lovely little chap, very friendly from the time I got him. He doesn't seem at all afaid of me, although he's not particularly interested in me either! By this I mean, I can put my hand in his bin cage next to him, and he'll just ignore me. No signs of him being scared, or worried, he just goes on with his business. So, what's the problem I hear you ask!

Stan doesn't get up until late. Very late. Most nights it will be between 12 and 1 when he pops his head out. Once he's awake, as I say he's a happy healthy little dude. But this makes it hard for me to give him the time he needs, and I only manage to see him a few times a week.

I've had a look around the net and I'm following as much of the advice as I can. I do my best to feed him at the same time every evening (when I've finished dinner) and try to keep the light levels down low for him. To no avail.

What is making it more difficult is he has decided not to sleep in the bedding I have provided, but instead he sleeps in the substate at the bottom of his box, at the end of a tunnel he's dug himself. Sometimes if you lift the box up you can see his feet on the bottom through the plastic! I think this might be meaning he's not noticing the change in light levels, and it certainly means I cant just drag him out of his bed (I'd have to tip the box upside down!) - not that I particularly want to anyway.

So, any advice lovely people of HC. How can I encorrage him to sleep in his bedding? But more importantly how can I encorrage him to get up at a reasonable hour (God, I sound like my mother!)

THANKS!

[Demecat]

Not every hamster, even content ones will walk onto your hands. My Rory is happy and loves coming out but he still expects me to scoop him up!

To be honest, try to keep the light levels like normal day/night otherwise he will get confused.

Ask any member on here if their hamsters always sleep where they intend them to and in what they intend them to do. The answer will be no lol As long as he's happy, I'd not worry.

The trick to get him out is food! Keep treats in a plastic container and rattle it whenever you go to offer them, he'll associate the rattling with something good and come out of his nest for it!