Info On Cork Tunnels?

[climber008]

Hey guys!

I recently heard from my hamster breeder that I'll be getting my new hamster from that cork tunnels are really awesome hideouts and toys! However, as I like to keep some empty space in my bin cage for "running room", I am always careful to choose my toys wisely. I currently do not have a hamster, as Calypso unfortunately passed on, but my bin cage has already been cleaned out and set up with substrate, toys, etc. I have a snak shak, a plastic hidey hut, grass hiding toys, a wheel, and a few other things. Again, I don't want to crowd my cage, so is a cork tunnel worth it?

I would love to get one if they will be a fun toy for my hammy!

Thanks guys for any advice or suggestions you can give me!

[velma]

I'm not going to be much use as I've never used cork in with my hamsters but for my Syrian I do have a wicker tunnel that is supposed to be for a rabbit/guinea pig. Pretty sure it's too small for a rabbit but as it's pretty big it's easy for Cleo to run through & she can climb over it too if she wants. It gives her cover & run around room at the same time.

[greysome]

I've used/am using cork tunnels with most of my hamsters in their cages. For the most part, they've always been relatively indifferent to their cork tunnels--it gets the occasional use but if I remove it, they're just as happy without it (actually in one case happier as it's more digging room). Hazel Nut did, after over a year with hers, decide she loved chewing the bark or whatever the outside is called for a few days but now ignores it again. My robo did nest in hers for a day or two in the beginning but apparently didn't like it and stopped and I've yet to try a cork tunnel with my hybrid or newest syrian. However, I think if my hamsters didn't have a lot of other things in their cage they could use as cover/hides, they would probably make more use of the cork tunnel. Honestly, as far as tunnels go, the tunnels that get the most use here usually don't have completely solid sides. I think if I had purchased cork flats instead (same material as cork tunnels just...flat and not a tunnel) and leaned it so it could be used as a ramp, my hammies would probably enjoy it a lot more.

ETA: Since you're getting a hammie from a breeder, you could ask the breeder whether or not the hammie you decide to get has had/enjoys a cork tunnel.

[climber008]

Originally Posted by greysome

Honestly, as far as tunnels go, the tunnels that get the most use here usually don't have completely solid sides. I think if I had purchased cork flats instead (same material as cork tunnels just...flat and not a tunnel) and leaned it so it could be used as a ramp, my hammies would probably enjoy it a lot more.

ETA: Since you're getting a hammie from a breeder, you could ask the breeder whether or not the hammie you decide to get has had/enjoys a cork tunnel.

Thanks so much for answering! I'll definitely ask the breeder if the particular hammie that I'll be getting likes cork.

[racinghamster]

I`ve never used cork accessories but cork is very light in weight and possible easily chewed. What`s it`s likely to do if ingested I`m not sure, but cardboard tubes are probably a safer alternative as paper products are the safer option. In the UK, we can buy cardboard tubes with coloured paper wrapping called Chube tubes. Google them. Food cardboard tubes like Pringles tubes are sometimes used as play tubes for hamsters although I`ve never bought any myself. Cork will also (like cardboard) get smelly if urine soaks into it, so it could be pricey to replace, while cardboard tubes may be a cheaper alternative. x

[cypher]

I haven't used the cork tunnels but all my hams love the seagrass tunnels so I think generally a tunnel may be better than something like a plastic hideout if you're short on space.
Cork is safe to use & actually fairly water resistant so peeing or spills of any sort shouldn't be a problem unless peeing in the tunnel became a regular thing which is probably unlikely.

[GhostsInSnow]

I use cork and cork tunnels, the hams aren't too fussed, to them a tunnel is a tunnel I guess lol. I like to do natural-look setups though and cork looks really nice and natural in them