A Few Robo Questions

Fluffagrams · 10-01-2015, 10:50 AM

This might sound like a silly question but can you keep a pair of robos?

My sister has decided that her next hamster might be a robo but we've not had any experience with robos so we don't really know a huge amount about them.

Can you keep a pair? Is it recommended or are they quite likely to end up needing to be split up like Chinese usually do?

Is there anything in particular we'd need to know about them? I know that they can be less of a hamster for handling than some of the other types but then again Sooty's not one for much handling either

cypher · 10-01-2015, 10:45 PM

Robos can definitely be kept as pairs, they aren't solitary like Chinese hams but going by the number of posts we have here from people having problems & needing to separate them I think it's fair to say it frequently doesn't work out although I know some pairs do live successfully together.
So you do need to be prepared for that & have a spare cage ready just in case, they need one large area with no levels that they can get territorial over, two of everything, houses with more than one entrance & scatter feeding to avoid fighting over food bowls, with the right set up there is a chance they'd be ok but they would still need careful monitoring for signs of dominance & fighting.
They can live quite happily alone so there's no problem with just getting one.

velma · 10-01-2015, 11:47 PM

Basically, everything Cypher just said! I've had dwarf pairs (in my pre-forum and less enlightened days) but I've only had single robos. They can be kept in pairs but they don't need a pal. They are very rewarding & super quick. My local p@h always seem to have robos in their adoption section so if your sister isn't dead set on a pair, I'd encourage her to look there. Hector had been separated and put up for adoption because he'd been beaten up by his cage mates. It's nice to give a ham a second chance

Fluffagrams · 10-02-2015, 01:10 AM

Thank you both!

She'd prefer to have just one to be honest as she doesn't really relish the thought of dealing with another falling out but I thought it was worth checking that they could live alone quite happily.

I'm not sure when she's planning on getting one, I think the plan is to get one after her and her boyfriend have moved and that probably won't be until sometime next year now.

Artisans_uk · 10-02-2015, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

Thank you both!

She'd prefer to have just one to be honest as she doesn't really relish the thought of dealing with another falling out but I thought it was worth checking that they could live alone quite happily.

Yes, Fluffagrams, robos live very happily alone as others have mentioned. When I got Fey from the Willington Show earlier in the year, she was still with her sisters at 6 weeks old. She has been on her own since then without any problems. I love my cute Fey, such a comical little fluff!

cypher · 10-02-2015, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

I'm not sure when she's planning on getting one, I think the plan is to get one after her and her boyfriend have moved and that probably won't be until sometime next year now.

Whenever it is we'll want photos

Curby · 10-02-2015, 08:07 AM

Just last night I had to separate my Robo's after just over a week of owning them. They are 8 weeks old now. I love both my little gals but if I was to go back in time I think I would have gone with just the one. Seems it is just a gamble whether they will get along or not.

racinghamster · 10-05-2015, 05:11 AM

Just throwing my tuppensworth in here as I`ve owned four robos in the past. A pair od males (ended up split up) and two single males. I would suggest only having the one personally as keeping pairs, although fine if that`s what a person wants, usually ends up in separations. I also think Robos are possibly the most independent of all the hamsters, being fast and aloof and preferring to do their own thing than be played with or handled a lot. So Robos would tend to suit someone who is busy or isn`t too fussed about cuddling and handling. I think the robo prefers it too! They are good little pets. Not for everyone due to their speed and jumpiness, but all the same, you adapt to their quirks! x

Fluffagrams · 10-05-2015, 10:19 AM

I think she'll probably get a single robo but I'll pass on everyone's experiences.

I think my sister is fine with the fact that robos are less suited to cuddles but then again she's fairly used to it with Sooty. From what I've read, robos are great for watching in their cages which is something my sister really enjoys doing with Sooty.

Like you say RH, it's about adapting and accepting their little quirks.

fluffymunchkins · 10-05-2015, 11:40 AM

I've only ever had one pair of robos, I had them together for 2 years until the one passed, but it does seem its not the norm to have them together that long.
I think they are wonderful in pairs and great to watch interact

However, once her sister died, I had Peggy for another year and on her own she became a lot more handlable and she actually really enjoyed human contact. So I think they're benefits both ways x