Is This Behaviour Normal?

VilleValoRocks · 06-10-2008, 02:31 PM

Hello,
I bought two male robos on Sunday afternoon (today is Tuesday) and Sunday night they were sleeping together and cuddling and whatnot. However, since yesterday they've been squabbling, and Mario (the biggest of the two) only comes out his house to eat, and Luigi didn't come out the tube all day yesterday, but has been playing most of the night tonight, while Mario has been in his house.

They have a fairly small 'starter' cage, but was told this was fine for two robos by the assistant in the shop. I can build onto this with tubes though.

They are both happy to eat out my hand after only 3 days, but 7 times out of 10 when they approach each other it will result in a scuffle lasting a few seconds.

They only have one wheel, which Luigi spends most of his time on if not in the tube. They have two food bowls, the second one added after the first initial fight, which started while Mario was eating and Luigi went to join him. They have one house, which Mario ONLY leaves to eat after he got it yesterday, and Luigi has yet to enter it.

Any help that I can be given would be greatly appreciated, because I am lost, and want my babies to get along, and I am SO scared they don't like each other.

**Tammy22** · 06-10-2008, 02:45 PM

Hiya,

first of all you need to get them sexed properly - maybe post some pics on here and we can help you sex them.

If they are different sexes they need to be separated, if they are the same sex then there is the possibility that they can stay together but there is always the chance of them needing to be separated if they fetch blood - not all Robos are social - you need to keep a close eye on them, some squabbling is normal, especially if they are young as they decide who is the dominant one - some squeaking is normal too - just make sure they sont injure each other.

To help them get along and give them the best chance of staying together you should have two of everything, especially two wheels and always scatter the food instead of using bowls.

You should also have the largest, single stoy cage you can get / afford, as robos do not like tubes very much and can get territorial over different compartments.

Let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Tammy x

VilleValoRocks · 06-10-2008, 02:50 PM

I've scattered the food as you've said, and I will post pictures when I can handle which I believe will be in a day or two.

Thank you for your help

**Tammy22** · 06-10-2008, 02:55 PM

That's great, it will help alot.

The best thing to do is to pick up each hamster by the 'scruff' of it's neck - this will not hurt the hamster as long as you make sure you have fim grip without trapping the ears! The hamster may struggle a little, but will soon settle down and you will then be able to get a good look at them and maybe get some pics too.

It is best to do it soon to prevent any unwanted babies.

Kind Regards,

Tammy x

VilleValoRocks · 06-10-2008, 02:58 PM

Ok, that's great, thank you. I will post a couple of pictures within the next day or two, and hopefully you'll be able to help me tell what sex they are.

**babyboos** · 06-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Territorialism can take a few days to beome apparent when moving hamsters to a new environment
Sadly you may have to seperate these guys if the situation does not improve
I would get a new very large enclosure - not tubes and seperate compartments as they can get worse with different areas to defend.
You need to act quick and hopefully you can avert further squabbling
Sexing is important to get sorted out too - so look forward to seeing some pictures soon if you can't see any differences when you have a look at their under carriages. If they look the same good

but differences in young Robos can be quite hard to pinpoint.

arikata · 06-10-2008, 08:29 PM

I got 4 robos. 2 kept fight with all the others and in particular with each other. These turned out to be female! I now have 3 cages in my living room. Unfortunatly due to circumstances I couldn't keep one of the females but I rescued a male. 2 males live together now, 1 male on his own and a female with her litter in another cage. I totally agree that robos aren't as sociable as you would think!!

06-11-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katzilla

I got 4 robos. 2 kept fight with all the others and in particular with each other. These turned out to be female! I now have 3 cages in my living room. Unfortunatly due to circumstances I couldn't keep one of the females but I rescued a male. 2 males live together now, 1 male on his own and a female with her litter in another cage. I totally agree that robos aren't as sociable as you would think!!

Oh yes, robos can be quite a handful! I currently have 23 of the little darlings and seem to be constantly moving them about as there's always someone who's not getting on with someone else. Every time things settle down and I think I've cracked it, a squabble starts somewhere else.

I have a nightly "bum inspection" to make sure no-one's being bullied too much....if there's any sign of blood, its back to musical cages again. *sigh*

Bunsey · 06-11-2008, 07:28 AM

when had my first two i was scared to death over their squabblings and even separated them. Then i came on a forum and was told to try again because they'll get over squabbling as it's down to the new territory. so i sat wincing through their squeeks and they stopped after 2 days and were fine for the next two years as best buds! As long as they both have access to food and there is no biting, rolling round in a ball with teeth in each other or bleeding, then leave them to it.

I really think you need to ditch that cage and buy a bigger flat one such as a gabber rex/lux, zoozone, duna, rody etc. Compartments won't work for 2 dwarfs as they'll try to claim one as their own and you'll end up with serious fighting and separation. Either sell the first cage or keep it as a travel cage or emergency cage.

Ness · 06-11-2008, 10:47 AM

I would get rid of the cage, is it a rotastak? I've informed some pets at home staff about the problems with rotastak before, and now they inform buyers who want to listen. some hamsters do like it though, but I would say its a big no for robos.

Right if you don't have enough for a new cage, maybe a bin is a good idea? your'll need to get a clear plastic box thats big, drill holes into it and add mesh and stuff, but these often only come to £10. try and get a really big on, I have some aBOUT 80CM by 35cm, this is great for robos.

it sound likes another wheel would be great.

is there any open cuts on any of them? if there is you will have to split them.

yep tammy can help sex them with photos, most pet shops get the sex wrong. this might be the reason.