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Roborovski Riddler · 05-22-2017, 08:07 PM

Hello all!

My 2 Roborovski hamsters previously both thought to be females are now parents! I noticed it when 6 pups were visible in a nest at the corner of the cage. I can only guess that it has been many several hours since birth.

As a first time hamster-baby-owner, I am in great need of help! So far I have done these:
-Refilled its food bowl and water bowl
-Added toilet paper pieces for bedding
-Removed wheel
-Separated male from female

However, there have been some major complications. When I came to the cage, one of the hamsters was badly injured on its lower back area (far away from birth canal) and it looks like the injury was from a bite. It is very red and somewhat swollen. This injury has made it a little hard to identify the male and female from each other, and I'm very worried I've separated the wrong hamster! The behavior and appearance of the hamster that I've left with the babies is: highly aggressive, (non-injured) and checking on babies covering them, arranging them, ect. The hamster seems to be slightly larger than the other, more active, and its nipples are more prominently seen. However the hamster that I separated (thinking it is male) is less active, slightly smaller, getting chased/attacked by the other hamster when together, and seems uninterested in the babies. I am very confused because I thought the male should be chasing the female after birth (to restart pregnancy) and the hamster that I separated has redness/injuries that make it seem as though it had just given birth, while the supposed mother is completely unharmed.

Some other questions I have is if 6 babies is the right amount for a litter, if any other changes should be made to the cage (adding bedding, moving the "house", removing the wheel, ect). Also what do you recommend I should do with the new hamsters? I don't have many friends interested in adopting a hamster and I obviously can't care for 6 more of them! Also, does the male need professional help or do you think this can heal by itself?

05-22-2017, 08:07 PM
Roborovski Riddler Newborn Pup Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 6	ROBOROVSKI JUST Gave Birth! Help! Hello all! My 2 Roborovski hamsters previously both thought to be females are now parents! I noticed it when 6 pups were visible in a nest at the corner of the cage. I can only guess that it has been many several hours since birth. As a first time hamster-baby-owner, I am in great need of help! So far I have done these: -Refilled its food bowl and water bowl -Added toilet paper pieces for bedding -Removed wheel -Separated male from female However, there have been some major complications. When I came to the cage, one of the hamsters was badly injured on its lower back area (far away from birth canal) and it looks like the injury was from a bite. It is very red and somewhat swollen. This injury has made it a little hard to identify the male and female from each other, and I'm very worried I've separated the wrong hamster! The behavior and appearance of the hamster that I've left with the babies is: highly aggressive, (non-injured) and checking on babies covering them, arranging them, ect. The hamster seems to be slightly larger than the other, more active, and its nipples are more prominently seen. However the hamster that I separated (thinking it is male) is less active, slightly smaller, getting chased/attacked by the other hamster when together, and seems uninterested in the babies. I am very confused because I thought the male should be chasing the female after birth (to restart pregnancy) and the hamster that I separated has redness/injuries that make it seem as though it had just given birth, while the supposed mother is completely unharmed. Some other questions I have is if 6 babies is the right amount for a litter, if any other changes should be made to the cage (adding bedding, moving the "house", removing the wheel, ect). Also what do you recommend I should do with the new hamsters? I don't have many friends interested in adopting a hamster and I obviously can't care for 6 more of them! Also, does the male need professional help or do you think this can heal by itself?