Roborovski Hamsters

cooper and lily · 03-01-2015, 10:42 AM

Hello(:
lately I've really been wanting another hamster. Right now I only have one hamster who is a winter white male.I love him so much and wish and I would have gotten a pair from the breeder but I wasn't sure if I could handle it. Anyway, now i really have been wanting a Robo or two because i have expereince. But I have heard that Robos are very fast and hard to tame and handle. So I was wondering If anyone has or had a robo could give me some tips and maybe an idea of what a robo is like. Or maybe some dificluties you have had and if you think they are good pets.

Thanks!

velma · 03-01-2015, 05:16 PM

You can get the same issues with robos in that they can fight so, if you do go for a pair, you need to know that you have space for a second cage if they need to be separated & to help minimise the risk of fighting you need two of everything in the cage & no levels. But don't feel you have to get a pair. They don't need a companion.

I've only ever had single robos. Both of mine have been pet shop rescues. There's a special place in my heart for a robo. I think they're very rewarding as they are so funny to watch. Some people have success & get a friendly robo who likes to be picked up but they are super quick so never really going to be a sit on your lap ham

By & large they are more of a "look, don't touch" pet or as I call them "furry goldfish"

My first robo wanted nothing to do with me at all & stayed out of my way if I was in his cage doing anything but I still loved him to pieces. My current robo Hector is a lot more friendly. He will come out if he hears you in the room & come up on to his shelf to see if I've got a treat for him. He will sometimes walk on to my hand too but if you try & touch him he's off.

Thin Lizzy · 03-02-2015, 03:11 AM

I'm hoping to get a robo later this year and I'm only going for one, I've heard they can be fast and harder to tame also.
I would suggest getting one so you can devote more time.

Artisans_uk · 03-02-2015, 03:25 AM

Morning.

As Velma has confirmed, robos are completely different from other hams. My Aspen, who I re-homed, was very much like Hector, she came out for treats but touching was an immediate way to get her to run away.
They are certainly fast and can jump, so even if you can get one to sit on your hand, it is recommended not to lift them too high and always have their cage / a container underneath, just in case they leap off your hand.

They are entertaining though and their habits make for much hamster watching but they are not a fluff for hamster cuddles.

Now that Aspen is playing at the bridge

, I will get another, but I am hoping to find a breeder so that I know the pups have been used to at least some contact. However, if I can't find a breeder I will rescue a pet shop robo, as I love robos but try to get one as soon as they arrive in store.

It all depends on what you enjoy about hamsters, if you want a ham to handle then definitely a robo isn't the right type for you.

cooper and lily · 03-02-2015, 05:10 AM

Thanks to those of you who have responded(: I'm really hopeing to get one from a breeder. I am sorry for your loss aspen sounded like a great hamster.Sorry If this isn't the way to respond back but I don't really know how to because I never have.
Thankyou again

Artisans_uk · 03-02-2015, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooper and lily

Thanks to those of you who have responded(: I'm really hopeing to get one from a breeder. I am sorry for your loss aspen sounded like a great hamster.Sorry If this isn't the way to respond back but I don't really know how to because I never have.
Thankyou again

Thank you for your condolences, I lost Bindle on the same day not in the same way, just a massive coincidence but can't talk about it still.

No need for any apologies, you responded in prefectly the right way.

Where about are you, in case we can help each other with breeders that we might find.

I'm going to the National Hamster Council's show later this month in the hope of either finding a robo and another dwarf or making contacts with breeders.

National Hamster Council 2015 Show Guide

4Taylor20 · 03-02-2015, 09:28 AM

I got my robo in December, and he still wont even take treats out of my hands or let me touch him. he is very skiddish and scared.. Having a robo is difficult and when you cant tame them its really discouraging.. But when they become tame i hear its really a great feeling, i wouldnt know.

Artisans_uk · 03-02-2015, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Taylor20

But when they become tame i hear its really a great feeling, i wouldnt know.

Keep trying, don't give up. It can take the most confident of our fluffs a while to be brave sometimes and then one day, they take the step to trust us so with the skittish robos, it can take quite a while. I'll keep my fingers crossed that one day your little ham will take that brave step and reach out for a treat.