Say hello to Pip (Aka Pipkin)

[Ria P]

Haven't seen Pip in ages and he looks so different! Like you say, he's a proper round and fluffy Robo now. Ever so cute.

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Thinking about it, the plastic pod actually is a transporter. But not quite without being carried from one place to the other.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Haven't seen Pip in ages and he looks so different! Like you say, he's a proper round and fluffy Robo now. Ever so cute.

Thanks Ria Yes it's about time he came out again. I often see him in his cage and talk to him but hopefully can get him out regularly now. Which is a good thing as his cage could do with some spot cleaning.

[Pebbles82]

Here's the video.

Roborovski Hamster in playpen - YouTube

[cloudy]

Pip is sooo cute! It was so lovely to see him in action.

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Cloudy He certainly whizzes about doesn't he?! And he looks like a proper hamster now. He didn't at first! I think he has become healthier and thrived but I did think he might never grow much or look like a proper hamster! He was very very runty at first.

I am very very happy with the decision to get that plastic pod and tube in his cage as a way of easily getting him in and out without stressing him. He likes it and uses it in his cage and it's so easy to just pick up and lift him out and put down in a playpen. Maybe you'd like to think about it for Orko? It's not very glamorous in a nice cage set up! But it works - because it has the tube. If it didn't have that the hamster would just run out as soon as they saw your hand anywhere near it. The tube gives that bit more time. He seemed to quite like it in the pod when I had popped the end on and just burrowed under the substrate for a while. But he loved it in the playpen! First time he was scared (although I think that may be because he could smell Raffy's scent around on the edges). This time he wasn't.

I plan to get him out regularly now and also do a bit more hand taming. Only held him once. I read an article by a robo breeder once that said once you have hand tamed a robo they tend to be much more tame than other hamsters and just sit on you etc and happy to be handled.

[cloudy]

I looked at the pictures when he first arrived and he has changed a lot. I guess it is good care and nutrition that helped him to grow.

Orko only comes out when I am asleep. I never see him at all. That is why I have 2cameras so I can monitor him.

I also read that article. It will be interesting to see how it goes with Pip.

[Ria P]

Lovely video of a very busy Pip!

[Stanza]

Pip is super cute. Great video, he looks like he’s really enjoying his playpen time.

[Pebbles82]

Pip escaped last night! Kind of. I opened his cage door to put his piece of veg in - as I always do - he usually keeps away when I put my hand in the cage. Next thing I heard this plop noise and out of the corner of my eye saw something on the floor (on a very large cushion I have under the cage just in case). Next thing I saw Pip scurrying off under the cage stand. Slight panic there as that corner of the room is not hamsterproof for Robos!

I got his plastic pod and tube out of his cage and put his bit of cucumber in it and put it on the floor and he walked straight in - so put my hand over the tube and put the whole lot back in the cage. Pip seemed fine.

I'm not sure if he accidentally fell out, jumped out, or sneaked out - but will have to watch for that!