Odd looking hamster

Ria P · 09-14-2019, 06:14 AM

Been to a p@h to buy a bottle for my bin cage diy project because i've always fancied making one from surplus hamster stuff and things from the kitchen.

Anyway, never manage to walk past the hamsters and saw that odd looking hamster in the adoption section. He was "labelled" as a Russian dwarf.

He got up, had a drink, looked at me and pawed at the tank. I did not take a photo because i do not want to get attached and "odd" has always appealed to me.

He has a white belly, mousy shaped head, red eyes, the fawn colouring of my Robo and a dorsal stripe down his back. He seemed fairly long in the body.

What kind of hamster could he be?

He's called Harold which isn't a good sign because Harold and Maude is my favourite movie.

Now i must go and try to forget about Harold because i already have two hamsters

sushi_78 · 09-14-2019, 07:28 AM

Could he have been a Chinese hamster? They look a little more "mouse-like".

LunaTheHamster1 · 09-14-2019, 07:51 AM

did it look like this hamster in this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubJz7O6Mzp8

Ria P · 09-14-2019, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

did it look like this hamster in this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubJz7O6Mzp8

Yes, he does Luna. Just a bit paler with red eyes. Video doesn't say what kind of hamster he is though.

LunaTheHamster1 · 09-14-2019, 08:32 AM

I believe it is a Chinese hamster like sushi stated.

Ria P · 09-14-2019, 09:18 AM

Got three utility items for my bin project:

a coke bottle bottle holder with glass marbles to weigh it down - this idea comes from HC

a Pringles tunnel - also an idea from HC

a teabag box house with base cut out, handy because it has a lid

Ria P · 09-14-2019, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

I believe it is a Chinese hamster like sushi stated.

Chinese hamsters have a longer tail and this one has a stubby one, not that i've ever seen a real chinese hamster, only photos.

Cotton · 09-15-2019, 09:25 AM

Ohhhhh, I like the Coke bottle idea, Ria. I couldn't imagine how it was being used so I was glad to see a picture. Are you going to post a picture of your bin cage when finished?

I'm interested in Harold, too, but I won't ask questions because you want to forget about him. Lol! I understand that. I used to be a one-pet-at-a-time person, but that changed with hamsters. Eventually, I want another Roborovski, a Chinese hamster and another winter white in addition to the Syrian hamster snuggled comfortably in one of his houses at the moment. (And I should add: They will be in individual homes, of course. Not kept together.)

Ria P · 09-15-2019, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotton

Ohhhhh, I like the Coke bottle idea, Ria. I couldn't imagine how it was being used so I was glad to see a picture. Are you going to post a picture of your bin cage when finished?

Hamsters a great pets and full of character, something i've discovered quite late in life, i'm in my 60's.

I also enjoy setting up their little worlds and feel sad when i see parents in petshops buying their kids hamsters with tiny cages to house them in. They mean well and don't know any better so i don't blame them.

I had this idea to make a small bin cage (70cmx40cm) aimed at children then advertise it for sale because a cage that size must still be better than a tiny one from the petshop or to make a quirky one from recycled materials like the coke bottle etc.

Not sure if my idea is morally wrong though. Creating small set ups i mean. I think i'll make up the one i've got and if it doesn't sell there's nothing lost. If it does sell i'll go to Ikea for the next project and get their S..forgot the name, bin which is a good size.

My OH is convinced that i'm not going to sell any bin cages because i'll put another homeless hamster in it!!

Can i see a photo of your Syrian hamster please?

Cotton · 09-15-2019, 09:35 PM

Ria, the bin cage you are making sounds like a better option than the store bought cages. Be sure to post pictures when you have one finished. It sounds as if you put a lot of thought and attention into the care of your hamsters, and you will with the bin cage, too. Your husband may be right about you putting a homeless hamster in it!

I'm middle aged, too, and I have started spreading the word that hamsters are great pets for adults.

Yes, I posted a picture of my Syrian hamster, Julio, in a new thread. Thanks to you and Soufflé, I know how to post pictures now.