New to hamsters

HopefulHamster · 07-31-2014, 09:26 AM

Hi I'm new to this forum and hamsters. I've been researching hamsters for a little bit now and I'm hoping to adopt one... Assuming my parents agree (which they pretty much already have). Anyways, I'm currently looking at a few in a rescue nearby. There are two gorgeous Syrians I'm interested in, as well as one Robo but I'm trying to stay away from dwarfs since I've read Syrians are easier to handle.

I'm really excited to learn more about hamsters and hopefully adopt one of my own!

Hekomi · 07-31-2014, 09:42 AM

Syrians are definitely easier to handle because of their size. A lot of robos tend to be "watch only" pets, as they're harder to tame and quick.

You've come to the right place to learn! Welcome!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-31-2014, 09:57 AM

Welcome to the forum

HopefulHamster · 07-31-2014, 10:10 AM

Thanks!

These are the two Syrians I'm looking at:
https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/28850072/

https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/29385431/

humfry · 07-31-2014, 11:59 AM

Welcome. Well I never had a hamster until I was an adult, but have always been glad I started with a Syrian (in fact with one exception all my hams have been Syrians). Assuming you are still at school then a Syrian will hapily sleep all day & then come out to play in the evenings (after you have maybe done homework etc?). They have always fitted in well with me because I am out at work so I don't feel mean leaving them all day. However you will have to get one into the habit of waking up early evening - my current ham, humfry, snoozes until gone 10.30pm (sometimes gone midnight!) at the mo which gives me some late nights.

If you start with just one Syrian - they have to live alone so that is fine - you'll have the time to learn how to care for it & give it full attention until you feel confident. Then you can fill the house with hamsters . . . . oops! naughty me!

Skeever · 07-31-2014, 12:06 PM

<Imagines a house so full of hamsters they spill out by the thousands if you open a door or window>

I never said I was sane.

I'd recommend a Syrian as well. They're more cat like. Except they have no tail. And cats have more teeth. And hammies are smaller but have bigger ears. And they're nocturanal whereas cats aren't. And they're rodents, not felines. Other than that they're exactly the same.

humfry · 07-31-2014, 12:08 PM

Yeah! Four legs, two eyes & furry!

HopefulHamster · 07-31-2014, 12:30 PM

Yup! I'm prepared to wait until night to handle it. I'm already kind of used to that since I have a hedgehog, who is also nocturnal.

Artisans_uk · 07-31-2014, 11:34 PM

Hi, welcome the the HC family! Both of the hamsters in the link look adorable, are you any closer to choosing? I'm not sure how I would decide. I'd certainly recommend a Syrian rather than a robo for your first hammie.

Have you been looking into which cage to get yet? There is lots of good advice in a section on the forum about a whole range of different cages, if you haven't decided yet, I'm sure you'll get some good tips from there.

Good luck and I look forward to meeting your new ham in due course.

HopefulHamster · 08-01-2014, 05:19 AM

I'm leaning towards the black female, "Pepper."

I'm planning to use a bin cage.