Help.......2 Robo's behaviour!!

[Perry]

Hi, 1st time poster here!!! Sorry in advance this will be long winded!!!

I got 2 (male) Robo's almost 3 weeks ago, i believe they are brothers! Anyway, i got a cage recommended by the petshop which has a plastic bottom and has the metal bars, i thought it may be a bit small but was convinced it would be fine. The first few days they were fine, not doing very much apart from eating, sleeping and fighting over the wheel. A few days later is when the trouble started, they were (to me) being quite aggresive to each other, they seem to be squaring up to each other and kinda fighting. The smaller of the two seemed to spend all day out while the other one was in the house and vice versa. After reading various posts regarding behaviour i decided it would be best to get another wheel and another house etc so they had one of everything each. The cage then looked a bit cramped so i decided to get a huge plastic box which i adapted to fit in water bottles etc. So....the fighting continues!!

Suggestions please....is this normal or should i split them up. I've read that 2 males can live together no problem but they fight more than me and my brother!!!

ps... they are sooo timid, and very jumpy.

Heeeeelllllpppppp!!!

Perry!

[cornishrobos]

Hi Perry

Welcome to the forum!

I own 5 Robos and also have 2 brothers that fortunately still live together after nearly 12 months, i'm by no means an expert but will try to advise you.

It sounds like you've done everything right by getting them a bigger cage and 2 of everything but sometimes that isn't enough and unfortunately you may have to split them, My 2 don't always play/eat together but in your case it could be because one feels bullied and stays out the way until the other has finished what it's doing, so in this case you'd be better off splitting as you don't want a unhappy hamster!!

Robos live perfectly fine on their own, we have 3 living alone and they are absolutely happy. As for their jitteryness, how often are you handling them and are you handling them together? They need to be handled together if possible, so each of them have your scent on them, that can also cause them to fight when put back into their cage.

You can keep and eye on them for the next couple of days and if the fights get worse or you're concerned in anyway then i'd split them asap, saves either of them getting hurt!

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

[Perry]

Thanks for your quick response!

Well i've decided to split them up, they had another couple of fights earlier on and the little one (Jerry) spent most of the time "trembling" behind his wheel. I had another one of the big plastic bins so i've made up a separate one and sorted it all out as best i can at the moment. The bigger one (Tom) has been in his house all night and i don't even think he's noticed his buddy has moved out!! Jerry has made a wee nest behind his house which makes me think Tom probably didnt let him in the house or something....strange boys!!!

I haven't actually handled them yet, they have walked over my hand when i put it in their cage but they are so timid they mostly run as soon as you put your hand in. Maybe they'll settle down a bit now they're on there own.

I'll let you know how they're gettin on, thanks again!

[souffle]

I think you have done the right thing in separating them. It is a miserable life being bullied. I would try and check the other hamster. Firstly you need to check for wounds or illness but also check the sex of the animal because it is behaving like a pregnant female. If you find babies or the hammy is clearly pregnant you should leave it alone to birth and raise the pups. Pet shops constantly miss-sex robos as they cannot catch them to sex them and there are countless tales of unexpected babies. I am not saying it is the case just that you need to check and be sure.
Robos are always fast and more a spectator pet than other types but they can tame up well with time and patience. Go on the WIKI and read our article called Taming Tips and set about your taming now. Once settled single dwarfs usually become very people friendly and the bullied one will likely come out his shell. Keep them apart a bit as if they can smell each other they will still be stressed a bit. Feed some extra protein like egg, tofu, chicken etc and maybe get some millet spray or budgie food to supplement their food and build the little one up a bit as Jerry was likely hogging the food. You may find one or both 'sulk' a bit for a week or so but they soon adjust to being alone.