Hamsters and spiders

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 06-07-2015, 09:02 PM

So... if a spider were to get into my hamster cage, what are the chances that the spider will hurt my hammy? I'm fine with him eating the spiders but I don't want the spiders biting my hammy while he sleeps.

I was thinking of putting some screen mesh around the outside of the bin where the wire mesh is on. That way spiders stay out and my hammy can't chew the screen mesh.

Dalis_mum · 06-07-2015, 10:49 PM

I have mixed emotions about spiders...

I live in a basement so we get quite a few. I have watched Dali chase them about and eat them, but I also had to take her to the vet last summer as she had an abssessed bite on her back. I now normally, if I see her playing with one, have a look at it. Poisonous insects generally have a colourful marking, if I see such a marking I remove the spider, if it looks like a common garden spider I let her keep it.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 06-07-2015, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalis_mum

I have mixed emotions about spiders...

I live in a basement so we get quite a few. I have watched Dali chase them about and eat them, but I also had to take her to the vet last summer as she had an abssessed bite on her back. I now normally, if I see her playing with one, have a look at it. Poisonous insects generally have a colourful marking, if I see such a marking I remove the spider, if it looks like a common garden spider I let her keep it.

Thank you for your story. We're currently living in the "basement" part of the house. It's not really a basement but more like rooms under the main of the house. We have gotten a couple spiders. Some are wolf spiders and my boyfriend has seen a red and white one. I just don't feel comfortable allowing spiders access to my hamsters if they pose even a small danger to them.

Dalis_mum · 06-07-2015, 11:37 PM

Ah, I just realised, You're in the US. Here in the UK spiders are generally much smaller and harmless, In the US, i would definitely remove them, you have warmer climates, continentally and thus more dangerous species.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 06-08-2015, 12:49 AM

Yep I am in the US. Wow... that's such and abrupt change of mind. I'm thankful for your reply but also shocked. We don't have any black widows or brown recluses in the basement area but the spiders are just creepy, fast and scary.

Dalis_mum · 06-08-2015, 06:48 AM

Your climate is warmer and more humid. Ideal conditions for growth for inverts. The bigger the spider the more venomous the bite so though maybe not well know human killers, if you compare the size of a hamster to to us, the aeffects of the venom could be seriously different. Virtually all spiders carry venom ( i only know of one of the thousands of species that doesn't and that's because its the only known vegetarian spider).

Sorry if i sounded abrupt and rude. It was aimed at my own stupidity for not taking note of your location.

X

Nancy's Hamsters · 06-08-2015, 11:55 AM

Wolf spiders in China have the ability to kill and eat Mice and young rats brrrr. All we get in this house are jumping spiders and and occasional Grass funnel spider who kinda takes a wrong turn and instead of being in the grass lawn ends up a snack for my two cats. We also have tons of assassin Beetles whose main diet is Spiders and Japanese Lady bird beetles. Which is probably why we don't have a huge amount of spiders in the house.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 06-08-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalis_mum

Your climate is warmer and more humid. Ideal conditions for growth for inverts. The bigger the spider the more venomous the bite so though maybe not well know human killers, if you compare the size of a hamster to to us, the aeffects of the venom could be seriously different. Virtually all spiders carry venom ( i only know of one of the thousands of species that doesn't and that's because its the only known vegetarian spider).

Sorry if i sounded abrupt and rude. It was aimed at my own stupidity for not taking note of your location.

X

No worries at all! You weren't rude at all! I was just really surprised to hear that the US has more dangerous spiders to look out for. It's true though, some spiders out here are big for hamsters. There is a dead one in the bathroom the size of a quarter... yuck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy's Hamsters

Wolf spiders in China have the ability to kill and eat Mice and young rats brrrr. All we get in this house are jumping spiders and and occasional Grass funnel spider who kinda takes a wrong turn and instead of being in the grass lawn ends up a snack for my two cats. We also have tons of assassin Beetles whose main diet is Spiders and Japanese Lady bird beetles. Which is probably why we don't have a huge amount of spiders in the house.

WOW! Well, I'm not sure what kind of wold spiders are around here. People just keep calling them that. I've seen black ones, red and white ones and some brown ones.