Aggressive Behaviour !!!!

ad36 · 08-21-2007, 04:01 AM

From my previous post I have said I have two 2month old brothers I have had them a fortnight now and am a little concerned over some of the behaviour they have started to display.

Although they sleep together during the day once awake they appear to squabble constantly. They chase each other around and tumble with each other. There has been no blood as yet but am wondering how long do I let this go on before I decide if they need separating.

I have read all the other links to this topic and they seem to suggest that when blood is drawn it is time to divide them but this behaviour is quite aggressive and not sure if waiting for blood is the best move!but also dont want to separate too soon if this is just a phase.

I have followed all the advice to prevent squabbling but they still are aggressive, have they just decided they dont want to live together. Thanks for the advice, I have only ever kept single hamsters and want to ensure I do the best for this pair

Can I also add that Frank is especially dominant over the other and seems to rule the cage, whereas Fred is more timid and less forward.

souffle · 08-21-2007, 05:59 AM

It does sound as if one is bullying the other and making his life a bit of a misery. In a colony situation or in the wild they would be able to get away from each other and there would be females and young to diute the agression towards each other. Is the submissive one getting enough food? Does he appear smaller? If you feel one is really not getting a fair life I would separate them personally. I guess the hormones are kicking in now. It might be woth contacting Andrew Bryan via this link as he has a lot of experience with this type.
http://www.hamsters-uk.org/modules.php? ... =34&page=1

ad36 · 08-21-2007, 01:32 PM

Yes I have to say that one is looking smaller and slightly subdued. I guessed I was heading down the separation route, I am going to observe them tonight when they wake and have another cage at the ready as last night the fighting seemed especially aggressive and I dont want it to progress to anything worse. Nevermind I was prepared for the possibility of separation but I hoped they would get on as they do look so sweet together. Looks are deceptive I guess!

Thanks for the link

**babyboos** · 08-23-2007, 07:43 AM

such a shame but sometimes he only solution is to seperate

a brief time apart may sort things out though and you can try reintroduction but only closely supervised

try swapping them between the cages daily for a few days so they keep their joint scents, dont let their own individual scent develop or it may get worse

underneath you will see their scent glands you can rub the sticky waxy substance from here onto the rear end of each hamster

ad36 · 08-23-2007, 11:20 AM

they are in separate cages at the moment as the squabbling became more aggressive. Now I have separated them I was concerned that they may not thrive as they are social animals but both seem more active and inquisitive since they have been on their own. Will try the cage swopping and see how it goes but if they are doing well in individual cages I guess it will not be a major problem if they remain there.

Christine Yule · 08-23-2007, 02:34 PM

Too bad you have to separate them. But, it really is the little guys who have decided they don't want to live together.

When I have had to separate pairs of my Robos, I put their cages right beside each other, so they can see each other. They have good eyesight and they will likely not get lonely if they can see each other. As long as they have their own territory, they will be happy.

ad36 · 08-24-2007, 01:30 AM

I am rearranging the cage setup as we speak so they are next to each other as several suggestions have been made to keep them in vision of each other. I thought hamster eyesight was poor so its not something I would have thought of, thanks

Christine Yule · 08-24-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad36

I am rearranging the cage setup as we speak so they are next to each other as several suggestions have been made to keep them in vision of each other. I thought hamster eyesight was poor so its not something I would have thought of, thanks

Each species of hamster is different in many ways. It is true that Syrian hamsters have very poor vision and depend on smell and their whiskers to get around, however, I have observed that Dwarves and Robos seem to have very good vision. I assume it is because Syrians are truly nocturnal hamsters. The other species are active off and on throughout the day and night.