Bringing home Archie - I think he's scared?

[Micky93]

So yesterday I had the pleasure of being able to attend the Dawlish hamster show and meet a few of you (everyone was amazing, so kind and helpful). Unfortunately I didn't get to spend a long time there due to family matters, but I will definitely be back again! I managed to find and bring home a gorgeous shorthaired BEC roan who we have named Archie.

He's 8 weeks old and was bred by PS hamsters. He's absolutely gorgeous and we're smitten.

However I'm worried he may be a bit stressed or scared at the minute. He was a dream to handle in the show and when we were setting up his cage, but last night/this morning he has decided to sleep underneath his Wodent wheel and if he hears us he runs up the back of the cage and hides behind it until we are gone (the wheel is suspended from the top of the cage).

I know he needs time to settle and adjust but I want to make sure he's not stressed and wondered if there was anything I could do to help him settle? He's currently in an Alaska cage.

Thanks in advance

[cypher]

Congrats on getting Archie

His behaviour sounds perfectly normal, I'm sure he'll settle soon if he's been used to being handled, just talk to him quietly (even if he hides) & do the tissue trick so he can begin to get used to your scent, even for a tame ham it is a big change & they generally need a couple of days to adjust & begin settling.

[Thin Lizzy]

Congratulations on Archie. I too would suggest the tissue trick and talking quietly.