Chinese Hamsters turn cold

Esmy · 08-22-2015, 09:19 PM

Hi, I was wondering why my Chinese hamsters turn from warm to cold when touched? Is it a defense mechanism? They are not fond of being handled. Just never read about that happening.

racinghamster · 08-23-2015, 12:32 AM

It`s possible that they regulate their body temperature due to how the environment is. Very warm or cold. Sometimes when I stroke my Russian hamster, his fur feels warm and other times he feels cooler. I wouldn`t worry over this unless the actual behaviour changes to indicate ill health. x

Esmy · 08-23-2015, 05:19 AM

Well what's weird is their temp change from warm to really cool while touching them. I don't mean sometimes when I touch them they are cool and sometimes warm. I mean they are warm then get cold within a few seconds.

racinghamster · 08-23-2015, 05:35 AM

I don`t suppose anyone can answer that one Esmy. The fur itself may feel cool while the skin is warm. But the reason for that is beyond anything I can think of I`m afraid. x

cypher · 08-23-2015, 07:04 AM

This is a bit of a strange one! How tame are they, is it just being touched or picked up they don't like or are they generally very nervous?
The only thing that comes to mind is something like the flight or fight response we have to fear when the blood is withdrawn from the skin & other organs & goes to the heart & major muscles needed to fight or run for it which makes the skin feel cold.

Esmy · 08-23-2015, 11:28 AM

It's touching or picking up. It does seem to be a defense mechanism that I've never seen mentioned on a forum. If picked up delicately around the middle, they will freeze with their feet sticking out. I don't have a good bond with them. They seem to prefer being left along, but I try anyway.

Piebald · 08-23-2015, 12:07 PM

Are you picking them up from a sound sleep in their nest? They may just be warm from being snuggled up?

Esmy · 08-23-2015, 12:32 PM

No, they are snuggled up yes, but awake and hiding because they are running on their wheel when I go in the room and then run and hide and I'll touch them a little later while they are waiting for me to leave.

racinghamster · 08-24-2015, 12:37 AM

Chinese hamsters are known for their shyness and they can be hide and seek hamsters and prefer not to be held all the time. A friend of mine has had two on different occasions and they have both been happy in their own habitats without being handled. They can be very intelligent hamsters too though and have mouse-like characteristics.

Are you housing two together? You said `they` but I wasn`t sure if you meant they lived together or were in separate cages? They may prefer one another`s company if they are happily playing around but prefer to hide away when approached. Chinese hamsters are notorious for falling out and fights can be nasty, so something to bare in mind. Are they females or males? x

Esmy · 08-24-2015, 11:58 AM

I have 3 males, all living separately. 2 of them lived together before I brought them home, but escaped from a cage the first day at my house and had to stay separated. 1 lives in a 40 gallon tank, 1 lives in an Ikea Samla bin, and the other lives in a Charlie Prestige http://i60.tinypic.com/2dlui5j.jpg

They have their tunnels and love taking sunflower seeds from my fingers but that's about all the interaction they tolerate without getting stressed.