How high ?

[Teenzeh&Cherie]

I have just been given 2 old fish tanks for my growing Hamsters -

one is 11 inch high the other 12 inch high.







How high can a dwarf hamster climb... do I need to make lids

I understand it also depends what i'm going to be putting in there that they can climb on !



Anyone got any ideas on cheap home set up for hamsters ?

[SnuggleHam]

I have two little Roborovskis, of course they are the smallest of the hamsters and I find they have trouble just climbing into their ceramic food bowl and that Syrian could easy walk into

Unless they have something the climb up to the top of the tank I don’t think they are going anywhere. My Roborovskis are about an inch maybe an inch and a half tall when they stand on their hind legs. I haven’t seen them jump yet so I’m unsure about that.



I guess just to be safe, make sure that any tall objects in the cage have about a 5 inch space from the top of the tank.



If you still worried you can buy a mesh tank topper that you often see used for reptile terrariums. Also keep in mind that they could climb up hanging watlle bottles. So maybe you should just get a tank topper?

[Emma]

Like candace said it's unlikely a dwarf could scale a 12 inch aquarium side, but I think that mesh lids are a good idea anyway - they prevent things falling into the cage, as well as the hamsters getting out!



They're easy to make with a wooden frame and wire mesh if you don't want to buy them.



You can use lots of things around the house for a cage set up - cardboard toilet roll tubes, small empty cardboard boxes can be good nest boxes, empty jars washed out can be good dust baths.

[babyboos]

As you are going to be housing young Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters in these tanks you should not find them "jumping" out very easily. If you are worried about them climbing out you should ensure there is a good gap - at least two hamster stretched out lengths worth (approximately 5 - 6 inches) - bare at the top, and for extra security maybe place a thin sheet which will allow air to penetrate over the top - make sure it is taut so they cannot get hold of it and pull themselves out!. Longer-term you need to get down to your local hardware store and by some small gauge wire mesh to form a tank topper with - a lot cheaper and easier than buying one ready-made and you will be able to make it size specific for your particular tanks.

Roborovski Dwarf hamsters incidently have relative to body size slightly longer legs than other dwarf hamsters making them very nimble. Not only can they run fast but they can also jump – up to 2 feet in height.

A solid surface wheel and a sand bath are the two most essential items in the enclosure after a water bottle. All Emma's idea items should be easy to find lying around the house already, so are completely free!