Argh!! Another unexpected robo litter!

I'm in shock. As you know, my robo Bruce surprised me by giving birth on Sun 30 Mar (my birthday!) to 4 pups (all of whom were doing well when I last saw them a few days ago). Well, I just went to check on one of my other robos Sylvester (who I bought as a pair with Bruce a few weeks ago) and he/she was in the middle of giving birth!!!! I saw the two tiniest pups I've ever seen. Usual panic/shock (although I'm a lot more practised at dishing the rice pudding out and removing wheels and tubes now). I'm not sure if there are/will be more babies to come (2 doesn't seem many). Yet again, I pray to the high heavens that me disturbing them doesn't mean that Sylvester eats/rejects them. I don't think I'll get be getting any robos from the same seller again (as if I need any now!) - I asked for 2 boys and ended up with 2 pregnant girls! Rest assured that all babies have a forever home with me. Please all keep your fingers crossed that they survive.

[Basia]

Oh dear, well they did give you 2 the same sex - just not 2 boys!
Good luck with the babies, you must be getting an expert at this now.

[souffle]

I guess you got a bargain there then ELC. Not very good sexing on the part of the breeder. Have you let them know of this mistake? A less understanding and knowledgeable person would have had a fit! Good luck with the new babies eerrrr Sylvestrina or Sylvia

[Gust0o]

I just replied to your PM, bibb - that's something else, that really is!

Are we laughing, or crying? Or does that depend on how the wine is going down?

[Bunsey]

oh dear! they must have gotton pregnant in the shop! very unusual for robos, they usually wait months to breed. On the plus side, you could try re-introducing them. thank goodness they've had only small litters!

I'd be laughing if I wasn't so worried about the new babies...I can't hear any squeaking but there are so many wheels going in my living room that it'd be difficult to tell. Looks like Sylvester will have to be moved into my bedroom with Bruce - I might as well call it the breeding room! My Dad's coming down for a long weekend in 2 weeks and I only said to him a few hours ago that he shouldn't worry as the bedroom will be hamster-free by the time he stays over. Ho hum. Maybe not. I suppose it takes my mind off worrying about Bruce's babies.

The wine is going down a treat. Although I think it should be brandy for shock....white wine will have to do!

I'm just hoping that the 4 male robos I adopted from P@H on Tues that are now living with Arnie are actually male....I'm not sure I can face checking.

[Holly]

Oh my goodness, Justine ...I can see why the wine came in handy. Just where did you get them???????

I can't believe how many robos seem to be mis-sexed - they are wonderful little animals (I love our Beany boy to bits) but if it really is this hard to sex them maybe them being sold as a pet isn't such a great idea - I don't know.

Well, thank goodness they've ended up with someone like you and not someone who'd freak out and take them back - or worse.

You are getting to be an old hand at this now

[Bunsey]

it's disgusting how many robos are mis-sexed. it seems to me that they just guess and give you anything!

i'm sad there was no way to keep my 14 robo babies, but i got the best homes i could.

[Lolo]

Why does this sound familiar to me i got a girl and 2 boys. Belle started beating up the boys hence they are all seperate now. i had to learn to sex them and found out what i had. Luckily didnt end up with babies belle was way too much a bully!! hope everything goes well ohhhhhhh more babies :P

[Tammy22]

Hi Justine,

I will definately sell these two that i kept for you then!! lol!

Good Luck with the babies!


Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to sex Roborovskis properly and i have had many which have surprised me and turned out to be boys, when i thought they were girls.

There are many photos showing male and female Roborovskis which are over 4 months old and it is very easy to tell which one is which, but the problem is when they are under 4 months old!!

I find it very difficult to sex them at an early age, even though i have been doing for quite a while now, and i sometimes end up keeping them until they are 3 or 4 months old, just to be sure of the sex!

Males seem to 'hide' the fact that they are male and sometimes wont actually 'show' themselves to be male unless they have to, such as if they get put in with an older male - then you will see the change almost immediately, the testicles seem to inflame and within a few hours the scent mark will be yellow!!

They are fascinating creatures!!

Tammy x