This is Chocolate Chip.
He is my 6 month old Syrian. I said he was 4 months old previously but I just realized how long I’ve actually had him. Since early January. Time fly’s so fast lol wow.
I got him at PetSmart as well, the same one as my other 2. I got him literally right before PETA started investigating PetSmart’s supplier, and PetSmart stopped having animals for the last 6 months or so because of the investigation.
The lady at the store said that he was previously adopted and returned. She didn’t tell me why he was returned though, so I felt bad and got him to give him a better, and permanent home no matter the cause of his abandonment.
I can only guess, but I almost wonder if they just wanted to use him for breeding or a pal for their other hamster and, of course, it didn’t work out because Syrians are solitary. He also has a chip in his ear which makes me wonder if it was caused by being bitten by the other hamster? Not really sure but it’s sad.
And that’s how he got his name. Chocolate Chip. Because of his color and the chip in his ear. I’m so lame at coming up with names.
I know most people have no trouble taming Syrians. But he is extra scared just like my other 2 hamsters. And I assume it’s either because of the supplier or the previous owner or both. I’m being extra patient and trying to tame him. Hoping that he will come around. I can get him to come out of his house, but he moves VERY slowly and the moment I make any kind of movement or sound he rushes back into his hideout. He will eat treats from my hand but I have to hold still and breath as light as possible because it scares him.
Sometimes while I’m in a taming session, my fiancé will come out of the other room just to go to the kitchen or bathroom and Chocolate Chip will be startled by that and scurry away even though my fiancé is far away from us.
<- This was when I first got him, I wanted to take a pic of his ear. :/
I also keep a piece of fabric around my wrist to have it smell like me and I’ll put it in his cage occasionally. He’ll take it and shred it into his nest. I think that helps with him getting used to my scent but it’s a very slow process.
On the upside he is super cute and loves to run on his flying saucer. I have a saucer and a comfort wheal in his cage and he seems to prefer the saucer.
He has a sand bath, and a custom chew area I made. He has hanging chews that hang from the lid and handmade houses out of popsicle sticks. I put a willow ball in his cage but he of course didn’t touch it, so I split some of the willow apart and put some ham safe dog treats in the center and he shredded the willow ball to get to the treats. XD
His cage is 4 extra-large plastic totes that are connected by pvc pipe that I had Lowes cut to size for me.
Introducing: Chocolate Chip! My Third Hamster Ever!
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