New Construction - Page 2

Chesterspal · 03-06-2022, 12:15 PM

Well, space is now at a premium. Waiting to add my 3" clear hose run around the sides. He should have a ball with that.

The foldable bridge...

It is sold as a wood chew and made from China fir trees.
Perhaps you can order or source where you live. Here is the link from Petco, here in the US.

Just a moment...

Chesterspal · 03-07-2022, 04:03 AM

Well, the folding bridge cover over the sand box went well.

Amazing how they just seem to accept change so easily and go with the flow.

We humans could learn a lot from these little ones.

Ria P · 03-07-2022, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesterspal

Well, the folding bridge cover over the sand box went well.

Amazing how they just seem to accept change so easily and go with the flow.

We humans could learn a lot from these little ones.

You think. You've been getting it right sofar. Just wait till you get it wrong and then watch your hamster not accepting it, lol.
A lot depends on a hamster's personality though. Some are more accepting than others. It will be so interesting for you to get to know your hamster. Btw, what's his name?

Thank you for the link and advice about the drill bit.

Chesterspal · 03-07-2022, 07:37 AM

He (still not sure exactly but his pointed rear end tends to suggest male?) seems to be quite content.

I get these "event" alerts on my phone from the camera when there is motion detected. The videos last 12 seconds. They started at around 7PM last evening and went until 6:40 this morning.

So, he's up and about for almost 12 hours. Seems to spend a great deal of time in that sand box then onto the wheel. He seems to be using the condo more now but I'm sure he has also burrowed out from the hole in the side of the pipe I provided.

Nope, no name as yet. Will try and confirm sex but he tends to run away when I come into the room at night to put some fresh veggies down.

The camera is about the only way I get to see him.

Ria P · 03-07-2022, 08:30 AM

When i got my first hamster, Henry, in March 2019 i didn't see much of him because he wouldn't come out when the light was on.

I got a string of red fairy lights and strung them up around 50cm above his cage. Apparently they can't see red lights. I sat in a chair across from him with the main light off and watched him sniffing around.

Apropos sniffing. You could put some tissue up your sleeve for a few hours, tear it up and drop it in his cage so he gets used to your scent. He may use the tissue for nesting material. They like plain white toilet paper torn into strips.

Henry turned out to be an independent hamster who only wanted out of cage time once a week or fortnight for a run around and a spot of wallpaper stripping.

The four male Syrians we have now demand to get let out every evening.

Once you're able to handle your hamster it will be easy to confirm his gender. Yes, an elongated, pointed rear end points towards a male. Females look more rounded.

Chesterspal · 03-07-2022, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

I got a string of red fairy lights and strung them up around 50cm above his cage. Apparently they can't see red lights.

This is very interesting!

If they cannot see red it means I can add a red lamp above his enclosure to brighten up the area so I can see him better on camera.

As it stands now, the infrared LED's on the camera cause a reflection off the mesh screen and do not go that far into the back... which is 36" deep.

Off to the hardware store to buy a red bulb

BTW: Like the idea of leaving my scent on some tissue. Will try that, as well. Thanks much for both ideas!

Chesterspal · 03-07-2022, 12:18 PM

So, of course they sell LED lamps now in colors. A 4.5 watter has the same output as a 25watt incandescent from the good old days. Double (so they say, hah!) the life.

Mounted it in a reflector I had and hung it from a board (for now) above the enclosure at the end closest to the camera... sitting on the shelf to the left.

This is the actual brightness if you were in the room.

Appears quite dark to our eyes.

Here is the image off the camera. Had to turn off the IR mode as the image was totally washed out.

Running off a timer set to go on at 7pm and off at 7am.

This will be way cool if it works..... Thanks to Ria P

Ria P · 03-07-2022, 12:33 PM

Apparently they can't see red light. I don't leave my fairy lights on all night, only till i go to bed and the hamster living in Henry's cage now is anything but shy.

Does the lamp give out heat or heat up if left on all night?

Good thing is that you have a timer so can adjust the times if needed. Personally, i wouldn't have the lamp on for 12 hours and time it for two hours only but then change it to different times every few nights to see what he does at different times.

Chesterspal · 03-07-2022, 12:59 PM

There is no heat at all.

BTW: Red light has many potential benefits for the eyes, in us humans anyway. Can help correct for MD and other eye disorders. It promotes more restful sleep and your eyes don't even need to be open for this to work.

This light level is so low (see wide shot of enclosure with lamp above it) I doubt it will have any negative affects if left on all night. I'll keep an eye on things, though.

If he stops comping out, I'll make a change.

Ria P · 03-07-2022, 01:05 PM

Just shows how little i know about lamps. Will be interesting to see what happens.
I'm a complete technophobe so excuse my stupid question but how do you watch a recording on your phone? Can you fast forward or does your camera have a motion detector that only records when he is up and about?