a few questions im curious about?

[Tam909]

Hi, i have a new syrian boy and i was curious about a few things
How long do they sleep? he's in bed when i wake up at 7am and not up until about half 7 when he runs on his wheel for about and hour and isn't interested in coming out, he has plenty toys but he ignores them most of the time and he is always either in the wheel or in the very large side house of his alexander cage, He takes his food in there if its biggish (the other day he took half an apple!) and he took a chew in there too! he has a nice nest with loo roll but i can't see in properly so rarely see when he's up!
He acts almost nervous when he's not in his house but sometimes after his wheel he will come out and climb onto my hand for playtime and he's never bitten me or anything! he's quite big for his age and i make sure he has space but he never uses the other two houses and only goes up the ramp for food and water
Is all of this normal?
When i got him he was in a carrier for a day (travelling and sleeping) and he wanted out to play and seemed to love me, now he's less but still great when he's out! once he's out that night he never wants back in and i dont know why hes nervous every night when he wakes up, i play with him in the bath and he crawls all over me happily! he's very curious, i also hear him eating in his house alot but when he first saw his cage he explored it all and loved it!
Am i just worrying about nothing? i've only had him since tuesday but he's so friendly and he seems to be getting less, im confused sorry it's long! thanks Xx

[Charlotte_Alice]

Listen.....just chill.....*BREATHE IN.....BREATHE OUT....*

He is getting use to you, the surroundings and his cage. They usually sleeping from around early morning to mid evening so usually around 7/8 till around 8pm.

Alot of hamsters eat in their house because they feel safe and secure there, they hoard their food there and will eat it in there when they get up usually.

Their house is their little hub, they feel enclosed and secure, out of there of course they will feel a little nervous and might appear a bit skittish, thats why they always need voices and interaction in and out of the cage to bring their confidence up.

My first was terrible, I use to have the radio on all evening on a boring talk show so she would get use to noise etc.

Hams are like people, everyone is different, all the 'rules' or 'expectations' do vary from animal to animal. He sounds fine to me and I would just keep doing lots of 'little and often' bits with him when you can....the safer you make outside is house to be the more he will be adventurous

[Munchalot]

There's no real definitive way of saying how active they are, and when they wake up, because every ham is different. Some Syrians are complete nutters, and are up from tea time to early morning, swinging and chewing on the bars and going like hell on the wheel. Others, like my Finley, are rather dopey little things, who just like to go slowly about their business, chilling out and dozing with a bit of playtime here and there. :L

As you haven't had him very long, he will still be settling in and getting used to his new cage, environment, and you. Did he come from a pet shop? If so, an Alexander is probably 4 - 5 times bigger that what he's been used to, and all the attention you're giving him is new too. He's probably more than a little daunted, and if he's quite a shy boy he's bound to be a little nervous for a while, until he gets comfortable in his new home.

As Charlotte_Alice said, their bed is their safe place. He's probably picked that house out of the ones he's got, because that's the one he finds the most comfortable and secure. When they have a nice den where they feel cosy and safe, they often do more than just sleep in there. If you could watch him you'll probably find that he uses that space when he's eating, grooming, or just chilling out. Unless he's showing any clear signs of obvious distress, he sounds like he's acting normally.

[Tam909]

Hi, he did come from a pet shop but he was well cared for and handled alot and i know the owner he's happy to be handled and was the minute i got him and has been since , just now hes out on his wheel hes not nervous nearly as much, is there a reason he goes through being nervous to confident every single night? thanks sorry, i ask alot i just want his life to be PERFECT Xx

[Munchalot]

That's great. It's good to know there are some good pet shops who look after their stock.

It's fantastic that he's so tame already. Perhaps that is why he seems more confident with you? It might be that he is still getting used to the cage, and is a little scared by all the space and toys, but feels safe with you? He might look forward to coming out because he knows you are a way out and a point of security?

In any case, he probably is still getting used to it all, and it will be a little longer still for him to fully settle down.

Not a problem. We all know what you mean, that's what this site is for! x

[Tam909]

Originally Posted by Munchalot

That's great. It's good to know there are some good pet shops who look after their stock.

It's fantastic that he's so tame already. Perhaps that is why he seems more confident with you? It might be that he is still getting used to the cage, and is a little scared by all the space and toys, but feels safe with you? He might look forward to coming out because he knows you are a way out and a point of security?

In any case, he probably is still getting used to it all, and it will be a little longer still for him to fully settle down.

Not a problem. We all know what you mean, that's what this site is for! x

Wooo! i feel so much better yeah, x i just ordered £30 worth of toys and sand for wee Arthur so hopefully that will help encourage play-time and confidence! hehe x I swear he's been on that wheel since 8pm stopping only for water and banana chips hehe xx thanks x

[Munchalot]

I'm sure he'll appreciate that! I love hammy shopping sprees.
And that's good to hear, sounds like he's picking up a bit.

I know that my little Toddy, who is incredibly tame, comes to me when he wants a bit of safety. When I first put him in his new big bin cage, he had a little sniff around, and then came running right back onto my hand. And when he's out on the floor having a run around, every now and again he comes back to me and climbs up on my knee for a little stroke, then off he goes again.

[Tam909]

aww my old pet lamb used to do that when she met someone new! but outside and she didnt sit on my knee haha xx

[Munchalot]

Hahaha! That would be cute, if you weren't squished!

[Tam909]

hehe :') i love animals. They are so cute and cuddily! except ticks and fleas maybe.. haha x