Which species of dwarf to get? - Page 3

cypher · 02-04-2015, 07:30 AM

lol! Now I have images of little furry robots running around!

Gatsby · 02-04-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

lol! Now I have images of little furry robots running around!

Yeah furry robots can be quite hard to tame

artgecko · 02-05-2015, 05:13 AM

We bought them last night at the shop. We ended up getting 2 male robos. They don't sell females at the store apparently, so that made the decision easy. We went with 2 that were in a tank together already... I didn't see any signs of scuffling at the store or when we moved them into their new tank, so hopefully everything will work out.

cypher · 02-05-2015, 07:29 AM

Congrats on the new boys, look forward to seeing them & hearing how they settle in & get on together.

Gatsby · 02-05-2015, 04:58 PM

Mega, mind get up some pics

artgecko · 02-06-2015, 05:44 AM

Ok, here are some not-so-good pics. My husband is a tennis fan and named them Leo and Lenny after Roger Federer's twin boys. :P

The little guys are quite shy. We might have to reposition their tank... It is closer to the ground now and I've noticed that whenever our shadow crosses over, they run for cover like it is an approaching predator. I have a shelf higher up that I can put the tank on, but I'll have to do some rearranging. I haven't seen them on the wheel yet (it is the larger 6.5" verses what they were used to) and I haven't seen them run much yet either. I'm hoping that they are just settling in and will be more active once they are used to their cage.

BTW, do you guys know what temperatures are best for them? They are in my critter room which I keep at about 76f (on the side they are on) up to 78f (opposite side of the room) for my reptiles. I know that they do not fare well at 80 or above, but wasn't sure if 76f would be too warm.

Thanks again for your help!

cypher · 02-06-2015, 07:11 AM

Awww cute! I love the names too.
Give them time to settle in & they should get used to you (or your shadow!) moving around the cage, just talk to them quietly whenever you're near so nothing startles them too much.

It could be a bit warm for them, I can't think in fahrenheit lol but if I remember rightly it should be around 70-72f .

Gatsby · 02-06-2015, 10:28 AM

Yeah when you pass by bend down and talk to them for a minute, maybe even pop a little treat in with them, associate you and your shadow with something nice and non threatening.

They look lovely, I would reccomend the small 5 flying saucer instead of the 6.5. My winter white struggles to run on the 6.5, goes like the clappers on the 5 though lol. I got mine on eBay for £4.50

artgecko · 02-06-2015, 01:29 PM

I'll have to look into the flying saucer... I've got a second 6.5" SS on order now, so we'll have to see how it goes. I bought a larger flying saucer for my rats and they hate it... I don't think they've ever used it except for one time. If they don't use the 6.5" wheels, I might try the small flying saucer or smaller SS (4").

I tried giving them sunflower seeds when I was checking on them yesterday. They wouldn't eat or approach when my hand was in the tank, but went to the seeds after I had removed it. Hopefully we will make progress as time goes on.

I will get my temp. gun out and check the exact temperature where they are at and at different places in the room. I will try to move them to the coolest spot. We have a cat, so I'm afraid to move them outside of the critter room (he isn't allowed in there, but is allowed access to the rest of the house).

What is the coolest temperature they can take? The rest of the house is at about 68f right now, so I can try to find a spot to move them to if you think that would be better for them.

Gatsby · 02-06-2015, 03:32 PM

There's a couple different handy ways to do things. Depending of what cage set up you have, you can buy a shallow bin instead of the deep bins people make cages out of. I've got a long one at 6" high.

I put the hamster I want to tame in it, put both if you want, put a free standing wheel in the bin as they will freak out and look for cover. You don't want to put bedding in or they won't come out.

Wash your hands with a scent free soap, not one that smells tasty to bite lol. Then pick up substrate out your hamster cage, rub it in your hands.

The hamsters will run in the wheel scared. Put your hand in slowly towards them, hold a treat out they like, sunflower, mealworm etc, they might not take it, just hold your hand there.

If no interest place in wheel they might eat it. Keep doing this process.nif they are just running about the bin put food on your palm and leave it there, try to let them run over tyour hand.

Also when they start to take food from your fingers place it in your palm! If they are on the wheel put your fingers under the wheel they will stretch out, one paw on hand, then two, then try to let them climb on completely eating food.

Make a cue noise such as "come on" or "clicks" this also associates food with the hand. Every day, lots of patience, that's the most important factor, patience

Good luck and have fun