is it ok to keep hamsters and reptiles in the same room?

Panda's_mommy · 03-03-2014, 06:42 PM

So I'm getting my baby crested gecko this, week and just want to make sure it's ok to keep rodents and reptiles in the same room? I just want to be sure it's safe for the, health of both animals. their cages would be a few feet away from each other and I will make sure to never let any reptile items touch any hamster items and vice versa. Also I will make sure to never touch either one if them or their items and then touch the other without washing my hands very well first or using gloves.

Colby and the Dwarfs · 03-03-2014, 07:27 PM

Yes, it's fine

I've had my gecko Mio and my turtles in the hamster room ever since I got hamsters with no health problems, they really don't notice!

cowgirlskipper · 03-03-2014, 08:11 PM

I think its ok, unless the reptile is a turtle, then it should be fine. I asked my aunt about it, she says their diseases can catch very quickly!

HollyHamster · 03-03-2014, 08:20 PM

I think its fine as long as the reptile doesn't naturally eat rodents as part of their regular diet.

racinghamster · 03-04-2014, 01:23 AM

As long as you thoroughly wash your hands between handling as reptiles carry salmonella. There was an article in one of our tabloids just last week about warning owners of exotics not to give them a kiss because of the salmonella risk! Keeping them in the same room though should be fine, you just need to keep them on opposite sides of the room or at least a good gap between their habitats.

Panda's_mommy · 03-04-2014, 01:40 AM

I love my pets but one thing I have never done and would never do is kiss any of my reptiles/amphibians/rodents, etc. I have kissed my dogs, cats but that's it. the cages will be 3.5-4 feet away from each other. i don't have much space in my room, otherwise they would be on opposite ends/sides of my room.

SoapyVP · 03-04-2014, 03:18 AM

My partner has had a couple of snakes and they live in a different room to my hamsters. When the hamsters run around in their balls they cannot get into the snake (and spider) room as we make sure the door is shut. The snakes are never brought into the hamster room. We don't want the snakes thinking they've smelt their lunch or the hamsters being afraid because they can smell a dirty great predator.

May well be over precautious but I'm very happy with the system.

Vectis Hamstery · 03-04-2014, 03:23 AM

I've had no problems keeping my crestie in the same room as my hamsters and other rodents. My gecko's tank is next to a rodent tank which initially housed acacia rats and more recently has held harvest mice. Both tanks are secure and glass so neither get upset by smelling each other:

L1250904 by vectishams, on Flickr

Colby and the Dwarfs · 03-04-2014, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowgirlskipper

I think its ok, unless the reptile is a turtle, then it should be fine. I asked my aunt about it, she says their diseases can catch very quickly!

I have kept my turtles in my hamster room for years with no problems, what diseases are you talking about?

The Hamster's family · 03-04-2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoapyVP

My partner has had a couple of snakes and they live in a different room to my hamsters. When the hamsters run around in their balls they cannot get into the snake (and spider) room as we make sure the door is shut. The snakes are never brought into the hamster room. We don't want the snakes thinking they've smelt their lunch or the hamsters being afraid because they can smell a dirty great predator.

May well be over precautious but I'm very happy with the system.

I have to second that... They both will smell each other and could get either hungry and curious or affraid and stressed... Better off away from each other...