Introducing Orko

[Stanza]

Originally Posted by cloudy

Last night I was talking to Orko and realised he feels very safe in his wheel and he is fine if I am there as long as he is in his wheel. He will even lie down in it. I wondered if I could offer him food while he is in there but this was a mistake as he panicked. I will not try that again. Here is a clip of him going from the wheel to getting food. I see he does this throughout the night. It is very cute.
Orko hamstering - YouTube

That’s lovely you can sit and chat with Orko whilst he’s sitting in his wheel, feeling comfy. I’m still catching up on posts but it’s great to see Orkos videos, he’s so active at night and clearly loves exploring around his home. The cork disc he sits on to drink is super cute too. Hams uses his paws to hold the bottom of his water bottle as he drinks I need to try and get a photo of this to share.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Stanza

That’s lovely you can sit and chat with Orko whilst he’s sitting in his wheel, feeling comfy. I’m still catching up on posts but it’s great to see Orkos videos, he’s so active at night and clearly loves exploring around his home. The cork disc he sits on to drink is super cute too. Hams uses his paws to hold the bottom of his water bottle as he drinks I need to try and get a photo of this to share.

Aw thank you Stanza. I am so pleased you are enjoying watching Orko's videos. You are right to say he is so active. I feel I am watching the footage speeded up.

How adorable Hams holds his water bottle as he drinks. I really hope you can get a photo of him doing that.

[cloudy]

Orko made a tunnel last night. I am happy the camera captured it. It is fascinating to see how he did it.
Orko makes a tunnel - YouTube

[Ria P]

Haha, Orko did a proper job there. I love it the way Robos dive in head first.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Haha, Orko did a proper job there. I love it the way Robos dive in head first.

Thank you. I loved seeing him create the tunnel.

[cloudy]

Last night was the first time Orko did not use his wheel. He was not out for very long. He ate some cucumber, ground flaxseed and had water but he was not very busy. Several times he seemed to poke his head out from his exit but did not come out. I am not sure if this means he is unwell or not. Here is a video to show what I mean.
Orko watching - YouTube

[Ria P]

I wonder if something spooked him?

I'd wait and see what happens tonight. I heard Scottie on his wheel the past few nights but sometimes i don't hear him at all.

If it continues and you don't see him, it may be a good idea to take him out for a health check.

I know that catching a Robo who is not used to or hates handling isn't easy but they get over it. The experience wouldn't traumatize them for life.
An alternative to holding him in your hand would be to catch him inside a glass jar (you can add air holes to the lid) so you can get a look at him that way.

[cloudy]

The only thing different last night was my partner was up all night as he could not sleep. The light was off though. He is used to my partner getting up at 4AM and is usually happy to move freely.

I will wait tonight and then do a health check if he is not using his wheel.

He is registered with a vet. We registered him the day he came to me.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by cloudy

The only thing different last night was my partner was up all night as he could not sleep. The light was off though. He is used to my partner getting up at 4AM and is usually happy to move freely.

I will wait tonight and then do a health check if he is not using his wheel.

He is registered with a vet. We registered him the day he came to me.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

It could be that your partner's presence confused him. Hamsters have such an acute sense of smell and hearing that he probably was aware that he wasn't the only one awake.
Orko may well have thought that your partner was out to eat him so stayed underground.

I often find that with Finley at night. He goes underground when i come into the room and will stay there until i'm gone. Happened last night when my partner couldn't sleep. Then my partner eventually dozed off in his chair, woke up, went into the lounge and there was Finley on his wheel washing.

I just remember you saying that you live in a studio flat. Yes, i think that Orko may have been displaying natural behaviours by peeking his nose out to check if the "predator" was still about.

It always amazes me how hamsters can sense and smell things even when they are in a burrow. Clive sleeps in a burrow and his top door opens and closes very quietly. Today I put a small bowl with Ella's strawberry porridge at the far side of his cage for later but by the time i had closed the door he was out and eating it.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

It could be that your partner's presence confused him. Hamsters have such an acute sense of smell and hearing that he probably was aware that he wasn't the only one awake.
Orko may well have thought that your partner was out to eat him so stayed underground.

I often find that with Finley at night. He goes underground when i come into the room and will stay there until i'm gone. Happened last night when my partner couldn't sleep. Then my partner eventually dozed off in his chair, woke up, went into the lounge and there was Finley on his wheel washing.

I just remember you saying that you live in a studio flat. Yes, i think that Orko may have been displaying natural behaviours by peeking his nose out to check if the "predator" was still about.

It always amazes me how hamsters can sense and smell things even when they are in a burrow. Clive sleeps in a burrow and his top door opens and closes very quietly. Today I put a small bowl with Ella's strawberry porridge at the far side of his cage for later but by the time i had closed the door he was out and eating it.

Thank you so much for explaining this to me. It makes sense now. I guess it was a different routine so Orko was confused. Interesting to see how Finlay displays similar behaviour.

I laughed at Clive eating the porridge before you had closed the door!