Hamster.. playing dead?(also activity and eating problems)

elly · 06-24-2012, 07:31 PM

My hammy's cage is ontop of my desk right next to my bed, so I usually have an unobstructed view of whatever he is doing, and usually he smushes himself up in one of the corners of his cage, or sleeps in his plastic house. He doesnt usually stay out with his head up outside of the house, if he is out of it, he is tucked under himself in a somewhat fetal position sleeping. But, when i walked into my room the other night, he was in the middle of the cage sitting, with his head pointed straight forward, just staring, i poked him a bit, he wouldnt move, then when I realized he was breathing I picked him up and put him on my bed and he ran around just fine. Then I put him back in his cage, and he got in the corner and sat up just sitting there, but a bit more responsive to.. poking. This startled me at first, because I rarely see him just sit and stare, if he sits he sleeps. Someone told me he may have been in shock because i turned my light on which made my room change from total darkness, to really bright. This could be normal, but I'm not sure, he is my first ham.

Additional information: I usually leave a lamp on at night, or the overhead light on during the day. I switched from a really bright lamp, to a realyl dim lamp. He is rarely in total darkness. I just recently switched from using a fan constantly, to having the AC on constantly, the room temperture is alot cooler. He has also been running alot more on his wheel when it is dark, usually he just runs a bit then gets off, but I have seen him run and run and run and run and not stop. This has only started just recently, since I started using the dimmer lamp at night. I'm assuming he is more active when the room is darker cause he is nocturnal? Also, before I had him, he was my friend's, and she said the hammy would eat a whole bowl of food at one time, and with me, a bowl will last him three days or so.(Same size bowl, different food). He is really really fat.. a male Syrian, I'm assuming an adult at least a year old. He is usually not very active, he has a wheel, a house, a water bottle, salt lick, two bowls of food (one a mix, one just pellets) and i give him fresh fruit and veggies and cereal on occasion. I also make him paper towel roll toys.. but he doesnt seem to do much.

Thank you for any insight<3

GemmasMom · 06-24-2012, 08:44 PM

All hams are unique. He may have been minding his own business running around and been startled when the light came on suddenly, like you mentioned. A lot of hams also stand really still when they hear a noise they consider threatening. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they usually will sleep durign the day and occasionally get up for a snack or a drink of water and will be very active at night. All my hams do tend to sleep in tight spaces; in fact, my 5 girls usually pile up inside one of their wheels to sleep together! I'm surprised they can even breathe LOL. His behavior sounds completely normal. Maybe next time, so he isn't startled, make sure he knows you are coming first. Maybe you could walk really loudly or knock on the door, or even turn on a small light, before you turn on your big light. Good luck with your little one!!!

Sounds like he has a great and caring parent.

elly · 06-24-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GemmasMom

All hams are unique. He may have been minding his own business running around and been startled when the light came on suddenly, like you mentioned. A lot of hams also stand really still when they hear a noise they consider threatening. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they usually will sleep durign the day and occasionally get up for a snack or a drink of water and will be very active at night. All my hams do tend to sleep in tight spaces; in fact, my 5 girls usually pile up inside one of their wheels to sleep together! I'm surprised they can even breathe LOL. His behavior sounds completely normal. Maybe next time, so he isn't startled, make sure he knows you are coming first. Maybe you could walk really loudly or knock on the door, or even turn on a small light, before you turn on your big light. Good luck with your little one!!!

Sounds like he has a great and caring parent.

i usually do nothing but lay in bed and stare at him before i fall asleep since hes right next to my cage lol so i usually notice the weird things he does. he either sleeps, or does something quickly then returns to sleeping xD was a bit weird to me thanks ^^

GemmasMom · 06-24-2012, 08:50 PM

No worries... sounds completely normal to me

Lynternette · 06-25-2012, 03:05 AM

Mine are the same. They stand very still and go into a sort of trance. When I go into their room I start chatting to them immediately so they know its me. Even before I open the door.

Arraminta · 06-25-2012, 03:45 AM

Sounds normal to me too!! As GemmasMom says all hammies are different!! Perhaps he prefers it a little darkness to make him run on his ball... Mine sometime meerkat for ages (although the appearance of a camera tends to stop them Lols)
Hammies react to changes in environment too so it's all perfectly natural.. He's running, nomming, drinking and playing so I'm sure he's ok

Hammy hugs
Arraminta x