Which species of dwarf to get? - Page 2

Gatsby · 02-03-2015, 06:00 AM

Mork and Mindy were nippy Campbell's/ hybrids, they calmed down with me but would nip others lol
Snowball was a red eyed white. I dont think it came from a good breeder as it obviously had not been handled.

That never put me off, I got treacle and rigby. Treacle I took in from a closing down shop, lovely little ham, didn't nip or bite but would nibble when becoming stressed, she is now fine and has settled in. I was told she was a winter white but she looks more in colour like a Campbell's blue with physical features of winter whites.

Rigby I thought was not quite a winter white from the start but I ordered a winter white.
He was tiny when i got him. He climbed straight into my hand. He kept doing this so I skipped tamingbwith treats, then i realised he wouldn't take food from me so I've went back to normal method of taming with treats.
He is going to be a beauty of a wee hamster.

Don't let the fact they are hybrids put you off, they are still gorgeous

artgecko · 02-03-2015, 06:31 AM

Thanks for your time and input!

Handling isn't a priority for me.. The most I'd want to do is feed them treats and be able to safely remove them from the cage for cleaning. I mainly want to enjoy watching them frolic in their cage and interact with each other (hence wanting to get a pair). If you think that they will not interact, or would prefer to be alone (that they won't benefit from another hamster to interact with), I could get a single dwarf.

I'm planning on starting out in a 20gl long tank with screen top. I will have 2 of everything on opposite ends (food, houses, wheels, etc.) with some toys and climbing things in the middle. I'm hoping having multiples of everything they want will help them get on together. If I do need to split them up, I have spare caging available. I also have spare tubs and mesh, so I can make a larger bin cage If the 20 gl proves too small.

I'm torn between both types (campbells / hybrids and the robos). I like both, so the deal-breaker would be which stand a better chance of getting along. I do slightly prefer the look of the campbells / hybrids, so if they are just as likely to get on together as the robos, then I might choose them.

The health issues (other than diabetes) with the russian dwarfs don't concern me as much as the neurological issues.

Also, if you guys have any input / tips on sexing them, that would be great. I've only seen one pic online, but have yet to find instructions on how to hold / restrain an untame hamster to sex it... This is the most concerning part for me as I will be doing it at the shop and don't want to harm the hamster or let it get loose (or get savagely bitten lol).

I will likely be getting the hamsters on Wednesday, so hopefully I'll have pics to show you of the chosen hammies.

Thanks again for your help and time!

Gatsby · 02-03-2015, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artgecko

Thanks for your time and input!

Handling isn't a priority for me.. The most I'd want to do is feed them treats and be able to safely remove them from the cage for cleaning. I mainly want to enjoy watching them frolic in their cage and interact with each other (hence wanting to get a pair). If you think that they will not interact, or would prefer to be alone (that they won't benefit from another hamster to interact with), I could get a single dwarf.

I'm planning on starting out in a 20gl long tank with screen top. I will have 2 of everything on opposite ends (food, houses, wheels, etc.) with some toys and climbing things in the middle. I'm hoping having multiples of everything they want will help them get on together. If I do need to split them up, I have spare caging available. I also have spare tubs and mesh, so I can make a larger bin cage If the 20 gl proves too small.

I'm torn between both types (campbells / hybrids and the robos). I like both, so the deal-breaker would be which stand a better chance of getting along. I do slightly prefer the look of the campbells / hybrids, so if they are just as likely to get on together as the robos, then I might choose them.

The health issues (other than diabetes) with the russian dwarfs don't concern me as much as the neurological issues.

Also, if you guys have any input / tips on sexing them, that would be great. I've only seen one pic online, but have yet to find instructions on how to hold / restrain an untame hamster to sex it... This is the most concerning part for me as I will be doing it at the shop and don't want to harm the hamster or let it get loose (or get savagely bitten lol).

I will likely be getting the hamsters on Wednesday, so hopefully I'll have pics to show you of the chosen hammies.

Thanks again for your help and time!

If you are doing it in the shop you won't of had time to gain their trust unless they are well handled. You can around them like a pinch but dont squeeze, that's how I hold my tame dwarfs with my palm supporting.
I think your safest option is to scruff it, that's pinching the loose skin on the neck from the pouches and gently turn over supporting the hammy.
You may be better asking if you can scruff them first as it looks brutal but its not, if the shop person does not know they may get worried.

Or

Put them in a clear tub and look from the bottom.

Male Campbell's and winter whites have a scent gland on the under belly, females don't.
The gap between the penis and anus is more in males. I will try and find you links and vids.

Gatsby · 02-03-2015, 07:10 AM

How to know your dwarf hamster is male or female

Hamster sexing - National Hamster Council

http://youtu.be/63SohHao5hA

cypher · 02-03-2015, 07:39 AM

If you want to enjoy watching your ham/s more than handling them I'd go for robos as I think the hybrids really do need time out of the cage, being handled & generally playing or cuddling depending on their mood, even with a fair sized cage I think they would at least need time out in a playpen whereas robos seem more content to be left to do their own thing in the cage with less hands on time with the owner.

Gatsby · 02-03-2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

If you want to enjoy watching your ham/s more than handling them I'd go for robos as I think the hybrids really do need time out of the cage, being handled & generally playing or cuddling depending on their mood, even with a fair sized cage I think they would at least need time out in a playpen whereas robos seem more content to be left to do their own thing in the cage with less hands on time with the owner.

Agreed. They seem adorable when living happily together.
Robos are something I've never had the pleasure of keeping. I love the look of them and have been taking a keen interest reading about them on here, plenty good info on them, also some nice vids on YouTube if you get bored

artgecko · 02-03-2015, 04:22 PM

I'll just have to wait and see what genders they have. I will go with whichever they have a pair of females in. If they do not have females, I'll go with the robos. I don't mind handling, so if I do go with Russians, I can handle them, etc. if they need extra attention.

Gatsby · 02-04-2015, 02:21 AM

Robots can be tamed but its a lot harder tonp do so from what i gather. Apparently if you source your robos from a good breeder you stand a far better chance

artgecko · 02-04-2015, 05:07 AM

That's what I had heard. If only there were good (or any) breeders in my area. Apparently, breeding rodents is not nearly as popular here in the US as it is in other parts of the world. We also don't have any rodent-specific rescues here either. More than likely, I'll have to purchase them at the shop.

Gatsby · 02-04-2015, 07:12 AM

I mean Robo's . auto correct is horrible lol