What hamster shall I get? & separating ikea detolf ?

EllaBella · 05-14-2016, 02:20 PM

Hi, I'm soon getting a hamster. I had my heart set on a Syrian but recently I have really been wanting a robo. Could you just tell me what you recommend? Also I am going to be getting a ikea detolf as a cage and how would you separate it into 2 cages ? Also would it need a lid robos as I know it dose for Syrians. Thanks

Pebbles82 · 05-14-2016, 04:28 PM

Hi and welcome. If you're a first time hamster owner, I'd suggest getting a Syrian. The detolf is a great cage. I wouldn't divide it - I'd use all of it for whichever hamster you get

It depends what you expect from owning the hamster really. Syrians are generally easier to interact with and handle, and will sit for a stroke or cuddle when tame (their personalities vary though - some are more lazy, some are more energetic).

With a Robo they are more entertaining to watch and not that easy to handle. They can be tamed but not always.

CMB · 05-14-2016, 11:02 PM

Erinsanimals you tube channel has a video on how to split a detolf in half.

A whole detolf would be nice for either a Syrian or a robo. You could have two robos (same sex litter mates) in a detolf and split it if they fight.

A lid is a good idea even for robos. It keeps the risk of escape low. Especially if hanging toys, taller houses, climbing toys etc are used.

cypher · 05-14-2016, 11:24 PM

Hi EllaBella, welcome to the forum.
I really don't think there is any best first time species but which ham you decide to get really does depend on what you want from your ham & what you have to offer!
Syrians do need a fair bit of interaction & out of cage time which requires a safe play area as well as the cage, so you need time & space! Some can be cuddly & some can be manic but you really won't know which you have until you get to know them.
Robos can be hand tamed but do take a lot of time & patience, they don't generally need out of cage time & with a detolf you'd have plenty of space for in cage interaction.
Some can be harder to tame but are still a lot of fun to watch, most can be a bit difficult to handle though especially if you're inexperienced with hams.
The detolf would make a great cage for either species.

freyashamsters · 05-14-2016, 11:32 PM

The Detolf is a great cage but if you are getting a Syrian then I wouldn't split it as it would be a but on the small side. If you get a Robo and for some reason need to split it the ErinsAnimals has a tutorial on it:HOW TO DIVIDE A DETOLF INTO TWO CAGES - YouTube
You could also use a Detolf for same-sex litter mates (Robos of course; not Syrians) and divide it if they need to be split up

As for your first hamster it all depends on what you want out of a hamster and the amount of time you're prepared to give them! Syrians require out of cage time every day - this could be handling or playpen time. Robos can be hand tamed but are a lot harder to tame and some Robos never actually be some tame so you need to keep that in mind.

freyashamsters · 05-14-2016, 11:35 PM

I'd recommend building a lid anyway because it 100% eliminates chances of escape and allows you to use things like playgrounds, tall houses and hanging toys which they could use against you to escape! It also prevents them from climbing up the the top metal bar and getting out from there

EllaBella · 05-15-2016, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Hi and welcome. If you're a first time hamster owner, I'd suggest getting a Syrian. The detolf is a great cage. I wouldn't divide it - I'd use all of it for whichever hamster you get

It depends what you expect from owning the hamster really. Syrians are generally easier to interact with and handle, and will sit for a stroke or cuddle when tame (their personalities vary though - some are more lazy, some are more energetic).

With a Robo they are more entertaining to watch and not that easy to handle. They can be tamed but not always.

Thanks for you reply , would a robo still like to come out of a cage in a ball or something ?

Pebbles82 · 05-15-2016, 02:00 AM

I think it's best to always have a lid

They are great escape artists and can scale wheels and water bottles and all sorts. Plus they can build huge mountains of substrate to climb up and get to the top

But also something might fall in there.

Most people make two lids - so they are easier to get on and off, rather than one big lid. You need strips of wood, some mesh and a stapler. There are various tutorials around on how to make one, and Erin's hamsters has one, but some people say the measurements aren't quite right on that one, so better to do your own measuring or look at a few different tutorials for it. I don't think I've seen another one that gives exact measurements.

I'm not a diy person but I'd happily have a go at a detolf lid and think it would be easier than making a bin cage

You can get the wood cut to the size you want at hardward stores, and get the mesh cut to the size you want at the hardware store - then you just need some corner hinges, a few screws and a stapler to staple the mesh on.