Henry and Gordon - Page 2

Ria P · 08-29-2019, 04:56 PM

Wee Gordon is still very shy but has claimed ownership of his little cottage.

Ria P · 09-14-2019, 01:19 PM

Update on Gordon and taming:

First of all, i'm not 100% sure if its at all possible to tame a Robo because they're so fast and buzz around but please correct me if i'm wrong because i'd love to hear from other Robo friends/owner's experiences.

I put my hand in Gordon's tank with a seed on my fingertips and keep still so he gets used to my scent and do this two or three times a week. Not for long, just a few minutes. He no longer runs away and just carries on with whatever he's doing, usually wheeling or washing. Couple of nights ago he approached my fingers sniffing and came to within an inch but wasn't brave enough to get the seed which i left for him when i removed my hand. This morning he run behind my hand via a bridge and sniffed the back of my hand which i think is definitely progress.

I'm inclined to carry on like that until he hopefully takes the seed from my hand then take it from there or should i take him out in a mug which would mean that i would have to chase and catch him for bathtub taming?

Syrians are so much easier to tame than dwarves i think because they are so much bigger and slower hence easier to pick up.

Talking of Syrians. My OH spoils our Henry. I put Henry's eggcup in upright a bit away from his house so he has to come out to eat his porridge but my OH puts it in sideways right by the door so Henry can eat it from inside his house!

Here's today's photo of Henry looking very smug because breakfast was served by his mate.

Ria P · 09-29-2019, 05:07 AM

This morning i baked pear tree and hazel twigs from the garden and made a foraging corner in Henry's cage. There was a clay pot there before but he peed in it which stunk so i replaced it with a glazed mug which he ignored hence this corner. Also has a hazelnut from the garden which i had to crack open. The first homegrown nut i gave him whole thinking he's a hamster so its his job to get inside the shell. He tried but couldn't do it because he's either too lazy or too deskilled and domesticated. He ended up playing pawball with it.

Wee Gordon has a new twig on top of his house.

Percy. Not sure what's going on with him. He came out when i put the twig in to gnaw on it.
I then offered him a seed and he attacked again. Bit into my nail instead of taking the seed, held on to it, i pulled my hand up acting on sheer reflex and he fell off, only a couple of inches onto substrate so no worries there.

He had a drink and hopped into his foodbowl to get more food. When he came out i noticed his full pouches. It looks like he carries his hoard about which tells me that he is insecure and hasn't settled yet.

My instinct tells me to stop trying to interact with him directly and to leave him alone for a couple of weeks.

Or should i keep trying to interact with him wearing gardening gloves to see whether he'll continue to attack or whether he'll eventually stop trying to find out why he does it?

Any advice appreciated.

I'm on the look out for an exo terra to create a natural set up for him but have so far only seen the smaller ones advertised second hand in my area. They do come up though.

One more question: what are the signs of diabetes in hamsters? He seems to drink and sleep a lot plus the "aggression" and he looks overweight so he could be a candidate.

Ria P · 09-29-2019, 05:10 AM

Forgot to add photos.

Ria P · 10-09-2019, 12:47 AM

Gordon looking a right little ball (with ears) of a hamster this morning.

A happy Henry saying Good Morning to you all.

Chicleteer · 10-09-2019, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Gordon looking a right little ball (with ears) of a hamster this morning.

A happy Henry saying Good Morning to you all.

Heavens, Gordon is a perfect sphere indeed! And Henry looks very sweet and at the same time the dignified little fellow he is... Nice pics!

Ria P · 10-29-2019, 10:43 AM

Today i changed Robo Gordon's substrate in a section of his tank for the first time. He wasn't impressed either and over-reacted a bit which must be a dwarf thing but he wasn't half as nutty as Percy yesterday. I also located his peeing place by lifting the roof off one of the Ferplast houses used as supports which was a handy find.
I couldn't catch Gordon who has a habit of appearing out of nowhere so left him in the tank. I removed a quarter of the substrate and was wiping the glass at the bottom when suddenly there was a Splat!
Gordon had jumped into the cavity and was scrabbling around trying to find a way out. What possessed him to do that i do not know. Anyways, i filled up with new Kaytee C&C and Gordon went underground to catch up on sleep.

Quick tip: i was looking for something flat and natural to protect the wood under the bottle with. The rim of the terracotta saucer got in the way and turned over it didn't fit. A flat stone or small slate slab from the Aqua Centre is ideal because it doesn't have sharp edges but i'm still going to put moss around it when my next Rodipet order arrives.

Ria P · 11-01-2019, 05:03 AM

I have just moved Henry's cage away from the big window which has vertical blinds and thermal curtains but still feels a bit drafty.
A cardboard tip i wanted to share: I bought two sheets of thin cardboard sheets from The Range, cut them into size and attached to his cage with old curtain clips.
The one on the left is permanent to stop him from eating the houseplant, the one opposite acts like a flap and there are two on separate clips on the back. One to keep drafts out and one to use on the top if needed.
Saves fluffing around with a blanket and also keeps the sun out in the summer.
Some people in this household reckon that i'm a bit paranoid and over protective when it comes to the hamsters but i want them to be comfortable. So there.

Ria P · 11-01-2019, 03:45 PM

This afternoon i heard a cluttering noise coming from Gordon's tank. It's very unusual for him to be out during the day. He was busy trying to move a whimzee down into his den and being so small he had to make a real effort but managed in the end.

Last night he made me laugh. He over balanced while washing and ended up on his back with his paws up in the air!
And he sat in my hand for the first time, after a great deal of sniffing and ate linseeds. Soon as they were gone he hopped off but i'm well happy to have a bit more contact with this little cutie.
That's him this afternoon.

Ria P · 11-07-2019, 12:48 PM

HARRY HAMSTER VS RODIPET - put to the test by a hamster

Henry only eats what he likes and won't touch anything he doesn't like, he'd rather go without.

I've put two food bowls in his habitat, one with Harry Hamster and one with Rodipet Syrian hamster mix. I have heard many human opinions on food mixes and now i want to hear a hamster's.

This morning Henry came out of his house to see us humans and let us stroke him!! This was so out of character for our self contained and somewhat unsociable hamster that i'm still reeling from the shock of it all.