What hamster is Spike

hamster mum · 05-27-2009, 05:57 AM

This is Spike. they were giving him and his siblings away at the pet shop because he was the product of an accidental mateing. They said they were not bothered if he went to a good home just as long as they went

. I don't even know what breed he is or if he will need different care to my Syrians. I paid 29p for the cardboard box he came home in so I think that has got to be the cheapest hamster I've ever bought. Compared to the Syrians he is crazy, but loves being held although I have put him in his cage to chill for a few days till he gets used to us. The pet shop doesn't even sell animals so were unable to give any more info but I would be grateful for any tips off you guys.

internet_nobody · 05-27-2009, 07:11 AM

His red eyes mean he is a campbell or a hybrid of campbell and winter whites. He's not the perfect "type" to be a campbell, but just because he's not the show standard doesn't mean he's not.

Care is pretty similar to a syrian, just avoid giving sugary treats/fruits as some campbells lines are prone to diabetes. Good luck with your new addition

souffle · 05-27-2009, 07:43 AM

He looks closest to an albino campbell's as IN said. Were all the babies the same colour? He is lucky to have such a lovely home and I'm sure he will make a fab pet and soon slow down a bit as he settles too

hamster mum · 05-27-2009, 07:52 AM

Thanks, yes they were all white with red eyes. So fruit and choc drops are out as a treat , he has already made himself at home, I just wish I had taken all of the babies and found them good homes but I think my husband will blow a fuse when he finds Spike, oh well he will get over it

. I knew they weren't chinese like the girl said she thought they were, they are thinner and have slightly longer tails if I remember correctly.

Bunsey · 05-27-2009, 09:08 AM

oh dear, poor things. Giving a hamster away for free normally attracts snake owners and kids wanting to have "fun" such as shooting hamsters out of home-made rockets etc. I would've taken them all and re-homed them.

He definately not a chinese. You're right, they are long and thin with longish tails. He is either a Campbells or, more likely, a hybrid with some kind of winter white percentage in him. He could be 95% Campbells though, there's just no way to know.

hamster mum · 05-27-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunsey

oh dear, poor things. Giving a hamster away for free normally attracts snake owners and kids wanting to have "fun" such as shooting hamsters out of home-made rockets etc. I would've taken them all and re-homed them.

He definately not a chinese. You're right, they are long and thin with longish tails. He is either a Campbells or, more likely, a hybrid with some kind of winter white percentage in him. He could be 95% Campbells though, there's just no way to know.

To be honest it wasn't till I got home that I thought of that, but at least Spike is safe and my hubby hasn't gone too mad. I think there was one other hamster left after Spike went, do they get on well if kept together? I might be going back tomorrow.

souffle · 05-27-2009, 10:09 AM

Sometimes they do get on and sometimes they will need splitting at usually maturity. You would need to be sure the one left was the same sex as spike. You will need two of everything but Campbell's do have quite a good success rate of staying together. Be careful re-introducing the two. Rub them both together and over each other. Rub the newby in the wee corner so he smells like the other one again as they have now been apart for a few days.