Confused! Calling all IMAC owners!!

[alex009]

Hi, I don't yet own a hamster but I have promised my son one (actually it will be more for me as I know what kids are like... )
Anyway I was going to get a Syrian and house it in an IMAC but i have read various forums which suggest that the IMAC is too small for a Syrian even if i get the extension which is what I intend to do...
So I am thinking about a pair of dwarfs instead but I have a couple of questions:
- will they fight as I have read that they tend to fight over floors or tubes
- can they escape through the bars as they are quite small...
Thanks for any advice!!
I have already ordered the IMAC by the way as it seemed like a really good option and i love the fact that it is modular

[Nicolapompicola]

IMO an Imac is an OK size for a syrain, it's even better if you can get the extension for it. The only downside is it can be hard to fit an 8" wheel in.

[alex009]

Thanks for your reply - Perhaps I have just done too much research and got too many opinions! I did read somewhere that the bigger wheel will fit in the main bit but not the extension...
I have ordered the main bit and waiting for some extensions to come up on ebay due to the price...

[hamster mum]

I have my three dwarfs in an imac with two extensions, they aren't an ideal cage for multiple dwarfs as to avoid fighting its recomended not to have multiple levels or tubes as they can become territorial over each level/tube. My three are mother and daughters and touch wood so far have had no arguaments but I have two spare Cambridges just in case. The bar spacing is fine for mine who are Campbells dwarfs. My only worry with putting one of my syrians in the Imac would be the tubes as they seem quite narrow but I suppose you could remove the screw in disc things and use ladders instead.

[Bailey-Benji]

I think Imacs are an ideal size for syrians, especially with the extension. Most wheels fit in there, I've had Habitrail wheels, Comfort wheels (without stand), Wodent wheels (with stand), Rolys etc.
They're bigger than they look in most pictures.

I reckon baby chinese hamsters and roborovskis might escape from an imac (especially robos!) and I think WWs and Campbells would struggle with the tubes because of their fluffy feet. And yeah, they're not ideal for multiple dwarfs due to the issue of territorialness!

If I were you I'd go for a syrian! 2 of my boys are kept in Imacs + Extensions and they're both fairly large and have no difficulty with the tubes. Previously I had a largeish female in an Imac + 2 extensions and she never had any issues either. In fact, I had a hamster a couple of years ago with a relatively large tumour manage up and down the tubes easily enough (before the tumour badly affected him and I ordered him a new cage, but it was too late).
Anyway, I think dwarfs are more suited to one level cages. My Campbells is in a Zoozone 1 and there's loads of room for toys and stuff. Previously he was in a Gabber Rex when he lived with his brother, but sadly they both had to be separated due to fighting and his brother has passed away since (Oscar, my remaining dwarfy is coming up for 28 months now!).

[Bunsey]

an imac with an extension is fine for a syrian. Robos can escape from the bars and dwarfs other than chinese can't climb the tubes very well. WWs would just fight over the levels.