Is this normal or is my hamster just weird?

[PhoenixEcho]

One of my Syrians, Rasputin, has what I consider a couple of very strange habits. He has two wheels in his cage. One that he runs on and another I forgot to remove before placing him in the cage. Now the second one is way too small for him to run on.

But for some reason, Rasputin loves to spin it. He'll put his paws on it and just start spinning it. Since he likes it so much, I decided to let him keep it. I mean, what's the harm? He thinks it's a toy and enjoys it. So yay for him.

The thing is, Rasputin likes to perch on top of his bigger wheel. As in just sit on it and not move. Instead he just stares at everything from what's the highest point in the cage. But if he's not on that one, he's wedged between the little wheel and the cage wall.

Now he's never gotten himself stuck. If he had, I would've removed the wheel already. But he somehow gets himself out every time, so I leave it alone.

If Rasputin's not doing that, he's hanging upside down from the cage ceiling. Now I know that hamsters like to climb but last time I checked, they weren't bats. So this has got me wondering, do other hamsters do this or is Rasputin just weird?

[Ria P]

I've seen some of our hamsters climb on top of the wheel but have never seen one hanging upsidedown.

I'd love to see a photo.

Don't think there is such a thing as normal where hamsters are concerned because some are a bit reckless and will have a go at anything but it's our job to make sure they're safe.

[Amethyst_ice]

Some hamsters do monkey bar and it's genuinely not encouraged.

Many do also climb up behind the wheels.

I'd be mindful taht just because he hasn't caused himself an injury to date, does not mean the set is risk free.

I'd consider a cage rearrange. CLimbing bars can sometimes be a stress response