Exo Terra Water Well for Hamster

RubyDG · 12-03-2015, 09:50 AM

I have been contemplating doing away with Spike's water bottle, he very obviously hates the thing but I'm not keen on a water bowl. I've seen some people use those Exo Terra Water Wells that are made for reptiles. From what I've read they are heavy so can't be tipped over and dispense water into a shallow bowl: Exo Terra Water Well & Exo Terra PT2806 Water Well. Before I had decided it was too pricey for what is was but Spike has taken to licking the water that drips onto the flat rock under his water bottle first before drinking from his bottle so I'm taking pity on the poor guy and am willing to try something else.

I wanted everyone's opinions and am interested if anyone has one of these and how they find them. Hubby has also suggested one of those large bird feeders as an alternative as well which is an option - something like this with a wide bowl bit. What are everyone's thoughts on this, pros and cons and so on

WinnieTheHam · 12-03-2015, 10:51 AM

I think they would be fine to use, It's basically like a fancy bowl

If you think he will be able to use it properly then I say go for it. You could try using just a small hamster bowl with a little bit of water in first to see if he takes to that better than the bottle, and if so change to one of the products you suggested.

Pebbles82 · 12-03-2015, 10:53 AM

Hi. I've seen bird feeders recommended before. Does the bird feeder one attach to the bars and sit above the substrate? I think that would be better than something sitting on the substrate as it could get contaminated easily. I think there is a hamster water well thing as well if I can find it, that is enclosed to keep the substrate out. Or you could try a different bottle. Charlie much prefers the one I have now, whereas before he used to bite it and get frustrated with it. This one has a wider spout and the water comes out easier so he seems more relaxed and just sits and licks at the end of the spout. It's the Ferplast Drinky bottle (not the Sippy, the Drinky is different). I like that it has a holder as well, that slots onto the bars, so the bottle sits inside the cage rather than the spout going through the bars - quieter when changing it too.

I have my bottle pointing the other way to the way it is shown on the picture, so it is inside the cage with the clip bit on the outside and the holder inside. They're not expensive but postage is probably extra

Fpi 4660 Drinky75 Drinky B.

Here's the hamster thing - Living World Hillside cafe. The cactus sits over a water bottle and the access to the water is inside the house bit so it's away from the substrate. Not quite sure how it works!

The second link shows the bottle inside

Living World 61372 Toy for Small Animals Hillside Cafe: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

HABITAT FOR RODENT LIVING WORLD HILLSIDE COFFEE

There's another picture below - still not sure how the water comes out! It's not that big but I think the entrance is big enough for a Syrian from what I've read elsewhere.

Piebald · 12-03-2015, 12:30 PM

I can't figure out how that cactus thing works although it looks like a good idea. I like the Exo terra well too, you could put it on a tile or flat rock to keep it out of the worst of the substrate. I imagine any kind of bowl is going to be a bit higher maintenance than a bottle which is why the bottles are more popular. I think the bowls are a more natural way to drink though.

Pebbles82 · 12-03-2015, 01:12 PM

That's a good idea! Putting it on a rock or platform - silly me. Of the two I think the second exo terra looks best.

No I can't work out how that cactus thing works either! You can see the bottle sits upside down in a bottle sized hole - I can only assume there's a small hole in the side of the bottle top that lets water out into the pool bit. Actually looks like the pool bit is outside (I thought it was inside) so it's not much different to the exo terra one in that case. Looks kind of fun though.

Vectis Hamstery · 12-03-2015, 01:28 PM

I've used an exo terra water well for hammies and harvest mice. One of my cheeky Syrian girls failed to tip it over

I always put it on a ledge/platform/large house as the bowl would otherwise fill with substrate.

RubyDG · 12-03-2015, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Vectis since you've used one do you think it works well enough? I don't want to buy one and then find that it just not practical for a hamster -it is designed for small reptiles after all. Do you think it's worth getting one?

Wanna Hamster · 12-03-2015, 06:15 PM

I've heard some good reviews of them, as long as there isn't a HUGE place for the water and seems stable, I think you should be fine! But, like the others said, try to make sure that a ton substrate gets in.

Vectis Hamstery · 12-04-2015, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubyDG

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Vectis since you've used one do you think it works well enough? I don't want to buy one and then find that it just not practical for a hamster -it is designed for small reptiles after all. Do you think it's worth getting one?

I preferred it to a water bowl as I found that bowls needed a lot of checking to make sure they hadn't dried out (particularly for the shallow bowls I used for the harvies). This is effectively a posh exo terra bowl with an upside down water bottle to keep refilling the bowl as it evaporates. There's a mesh bit that stops small animals from getting into the bottle part (though that bit in mine has fallen out through use over about 5 years, but it still works without it). I found it works well for hams that need/prefer a bowl.

cypher · 12-04-2015, 04:18 AM

I was going to suggest checking out swell reptiles if you decide to get one but they're out of stock, still might be worth keeping an eye out to see if they come back soon as they're half the price of Amazon, I've ordered things from them before & it's a really good site.