Living World Green Eco habitat

[Zizou]

I've got to get my rescue new Syrian hamster a bigger cage, as you may know I was misinformed about the qute omlet cage which is way too small and with two levels and understand they need just one being burrowing animals. I really like the natural look of the German cages: the eco one being the one I would go for (the medium size). I am concerned about him biting his way through the holes at the top with it being wooden, although maybe I'm being over the top because if I didn't put toys that were too tall in there then he might not reach. I really like this cage and dislike a lot of the plastic ones and they are so spacious and I could see what my little Hammie is getting up to. Do any members have this beautiful home for their little pets? It won't let me post link to the site..

[nickoh]

I don't think your hammy would get out, the sides look tall (: I was worried about my big syrian escaping his new tank but he quickly learned he'll just slide down the sides if he tries. For your ham to chew though the top he'd have to be up there for a while. I think it just really depends if they're big on chewing.

[Pebbles82]

I think they are lovely too. Personally I would mesh the top - not too difficult as it is flat. The ventilation slots in the lid are 2cm and a hamster could easily get through them. Keeping things low just takes away the advantage of this tank style cage, which is that you can have quite deep substrate in it and areas of different levels.

I don't like diy but when I considered getting one of these (and am still considering this for the right moment!) I was either going to get a suitably sized piece of mesh cut at a diy store and either staple it or tape it on. Or alternatively, cut up an old cage and glue the cage sides/bars on top instead of mesh (using aquarium sealant) - a good use for an old cage. But then that method would make the lid a bit heavier for taking on and off whereas mesh would be much lighter. I would get a piece of 1cm square mesh and staple it on the inside of the lid (if it's on the outside there is a chance the hamster could get through the slots and trapped under the mesh).

[Thumper]

I'm bumping this back to the top because the cage came up in the sealants and varnishes thread as well as the topic of meshing the lid, but unfortunately I can't post links (yet).

Mr. Nibbles and I apparently both planning to move hamsters into this cage and are in the process of figuring out to make them proper hammy safe.

Personally I will definitely mesh wire the lid. I have seen too much of what hamsters can do and heard even more and the cage will not me in a hamster safe room so I don't want to risk anything. My plan was to do it exactly as Serendipity has suggested, though I'm hoping I can cut the wire the right myself, as I was probably just getting a role from Wilko.

My biggest cocern at the moment are actually the airing holes on the side. They are only 1 cm diameter so the hamster shouldn't be able to get out, but I think the bedding would fall out. Apparently people have just put aluminium or wood from the outside to help with that and it's a good and easy enough solution. I'm only worried that air circulation won't be great if I cover them up altogether. How have people who already have the cage solved that problem?

[MrNibbles]

Hi Thumper, thanks for putting this thread up to the top again. How will you mesh wire the lid - inside or outside? It seems a bit of a shame having to do this since the cage doesn't come cheap - you would think it would be escape proof .

[Pebbles82]

I don't know - I'd thought about mesh strips (so it would be like the kind they have on the side of some of the skyline terrariums) and sticking them on with aquarium sealant maybe. I can't find them now - I had them in my Amazon basket ages ago but not now it seems. Or - looking at the picture - I wondered if you could just turn the end panels of perspex upside down so the holes are nearer the top than the bottom. They look like they are nearer the bottom on the photo.

I had only thought about the mesh strips for the sides to mouseproof it lol. I don't think bedding would easily fall out of them - if it's something like Fitch - but if it was hemp or aspen it might.

I would have really liked one but decided to stick with a cage for familiarity for Charlie. Plus I need something that will sit on top of a cupboard so I know it fits wherever we end up living!

I had even thought of getting two new pieces of perspex cut for the side panels and putting new holes in further up, but that sounds expensive and a hassle.

If your bedding was higher than the holes, you could maybe just put a hemp mat down the sides - it would be held in place by the bedding and I'm sure it's breathable. I don't think mesh on the top will reduce ventilation.

These hugro hemp mats are good and they do a 50 x 120 size or a 40 x 100 size. Two of the second one would probably do. But then you wouldn't be able to see your hamster through the side panels lower down. Don't get the Kerbl hemp mat, it's awful. The Hugro one is good.

Nests & Nesting Materials at zooplus: Hemp Floor for Small Animals

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by MrNibbles

Hi Thumper, thanks for putting this thread up to the top again. How will you mesh wire the lid - inside or outside? It seems a bit of a shame having to do this since the cage doesn't come cheap - you would think it would be escape proof .

Yeah, unfortuanately I have found I am never happy with the cages as they come, there is always some DIY involved. Or maybe I'm just too high maintenance? I don't know. For most cages I end up having to make a new lif altogether (or ask someone to make ine for me as I'm not very talented with these kind of things ) So the Eco is already a step up because I'm actually confident that my DIY skills with be sufficient to change it to my liking.

I will attach it from the inside for the reasons Serendipity has also already highlighted. I also think it looks better. As I said, I'm not great with these sort of things so I think I will just staple it on and cover the staples up with something yet to be dertermined. I will keep you posted when I figure it out.



@Serendipity: I want to get a Syrian, so I think I should be able to offer some areas with 35 cm substrate and I'm almost certain that's higher than the holes... Awesome ideas, thank you. I love the hemp mat one as you are absolutely right, it would prevent bedding from falling out but shouldn't cover it up all that tight. I will just cut strips to cover the holes rather than cover the whole side. So I will still be able to see through the most parts, and I would habe that issue if I covered the holes with wood or aluminium as well so it doesn't really make a difference.

Yes, I have only ever had the Hugro ones and they were great, I will get those again then.

[Pebbles82]

Hadn't thought of just cutting strips of it That's much better. How would you attach it to the plexi?

[Thumper]

That's what I'm still trying to figure out

I can only think of two options. In some places it might be possible to attach the mat to something inside the cage rather than the plexi, as I'm planning to place a platform and the house right next to a wall. Whereever that isn't possible I will just use a tiny drop of school glue and actually glue it to the Plexi. If I ever need to replace the hemp that should be easy- Since Elmer's is also washable I'm hoping it won't ruin the plexi too badly, but even it does leave a mark that's not really a major issue. It's a hamster cage, it's not like it will look like new for very long.

[Pebbles82]

Ha ha. School glue on the back sounds ok.