Boo "froze"?

[ForBoo]

I went to play with Boo tonight, and admittedly woke her up while she was having a nap. She seemed fine, so I got her out of her cage to have a quick cuddle. She waddled off me to go exploring, I picked her up and put her on my chest/arm.. and she just froze in place, wide eyed. She was still standing, still breathing, but just would not move and was completely still, staring forward.

I put her back in her cage and she just stayed like that.. I didnt know what to do so I presented her a treat which she noticed and took from me.. and she started walking round again, albeit slowly.

I'm a little concerned. Should I get her checked out, or is it just because I 'forced' playtime on her when she was sleepy and tired? Any ideas?

[StarlightSerenity]

It's normal She probably heard something that spooked her a bit

[ForBoo]

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

It's normal She probably heard something that spooked her a bit

Oh phew! So the freezing thing is normal? I'm so new to this.. Boo is my first ever hamster. Hehe!

[StarlightSerenity]

Yeah it is, sometimes females will do it when on heat as well (did she stick her tail in the air?).

[ForBoo]

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

Yeah it is, sometimes females will do it when on heat as well (did she stick her tail in the air?).

...She absolutely stuck her tail in the air! Her butt was quite firm, tail up. Oh my!! Is it uncomfortable for her? Are there benefits to getting her fixed? She obviously isn't with a male, and wont ever be.

[Lynternette]

Mine quite often does it. He has a startled look on his face and just sits there staring into space as if he's hypnotised. I start talking to him now as I go into the room and he doesn't do it. I don't know if your hammie's shy like mine but anyone else's voice and he'll hide until they've gone.

[Mona's Humans]

again normal, sounds like boo just went into mating position. (boys freeze too, but just because they hear noises etc)

I will let other members guide you more on whether its uncomfortable for her, because although i assume not, i do not know for sure... but i'd like to say that having her spayed is a risky operation for hams even with a good ver, and that whilst it will prevent things like pyo in the future. I personally would never consider it, unless for health issues that occur. But please do listen to other more experienced members, because my knowledge in this is not as up there as it should be

[Zebbie]

The mating position you are describing is called lordosis, you might have accidentally triggered her to do it when you picked her up by stroking her back or touching anywhere around her bum.
She will be prone to freezing like this during a few hours every fourth day as that is when she comes on heat so if you are worried about it you could note when those days are and be particularly careful how you handle her at that time - but it shouldn't harm her, it is a natural reaction (it is largely for the benefit of any male that might want to approach her territory when she is on heat without getting bitten and chased away).