Best set up for syrian?

[Aimeehammy]

Hello! I currently have my syrian hamster, lily in the mamble 100 cage, which has multiple platforms, shelves, hammocks etc. But i was wondering would she be better off in the detolf as it is 163cm in length, 63cm bigger than the mamble. The detolf has a smaller depth/width? (Confused with measurements right now as it will be on its back!) and the mamble has extra spacing due to platforms and shelves but i like the length of the detolf as i think it would make a nicer natural cage that my hammy really likes! What do you guys think, keep her in the mamble 100 or get a detolf? I have a trixie wheel 28cm which i have been told will fit in nicely with the lid on

[InkyPen]

Hello, and welcome to HC!

The best way to work out floor area is to take the length x width. So,
Detolf = 163cm x 43cm = 7009 square cm
Mamble = 100cm x 54cm = 5400 square cm

So, the Detolf does offer a bit more floor space (people tend not to count shelf space). However, the Mamble is still a very good cage, so long as you do have lots of things to break a fall (e.g. shelves) if your hammy does decide to monkeybar across the top and then loses its grip - otherwise it's a bit of a fall as 63cm is quite a long way to fall!

However, unless Lily is exhibiting stress behaviours (e.g. obsessively chewing at the bars) then it's likely that she doesn't really need upgrading at all. The Mamble is still a very good cage, so chances are she'll get more fun from having more toys that you can rotate in and out so she has some variety.

[chesca_27]

InkyPen couldn't have put it better!

Precautions with the Mamble - make sure she can't fall too high if she does monkey bar. You can attach platforms and hammocks to ensure this. In gaps between shelves, make sure there in nothing to land on. I would recommend the deepest possible bedding in the tray to help cushion a fall and to give her digging space.

If you think she would enjoy more floor space, then go for it. Otherwise, the money spent on a new cage could go towards another hammy or more toys and accessories!

Good luck !

[cypher]

How long have you had Lily now?
If she's been in the Mamble for some time & enjoys the set up she has she may not really want or need a change, the Mamble is a big spacious cage even though the floor space is less, if you think she's unhappy with her current set up then a change might be worth considering.
There is really no best set up for syrians per se, they're all different so it's what's best for her & what she enjoys that matters most!

[Aimeehammy]

Ive had lily since september, she seems okayish in her cage at the moment but she doesnt like climbing on bars and stuff like that or even using the steps to get to the next platform (they arent big steps so it is not hard for her ) Due to the only 100cm floor space her wheel takes up alot so she has one section for wheel and the other for her natural stuff , she tends to spend alot of time in the natural area on the sticks and rocks etc. With the mamble cage she cant fall very far as each platform has a platform beside it/underneath etc do you think she would prefer the detolf? I also had an idea of getting 3x 80cm storage boxes that have a better height and depth and connecting them with tunnels , would that be a better idea?

[cypher]

It does sound as though she might well be happier with a cage all on one level then so the detolf would probably suit her, I think that's better than bins connected by tubes tbh, easier to set up with the continuous floor space too.

[Pebbles82]

From the sound of that I think a move to the detolf sounds good too Particularly as another consideration is, when they get older, they can't climb and are much better with floor area and one level. I had a 100cm cage for our Syrian and just before he turned 2 I had to lower everything and within a few months have everything at floor level. He used all the floor level and could scoot about quickly but couldn't climb. I think you can have a lot of enrichment in a detolf, so sounds like a great idea. Having said that, a lot of open space isn't always the answer, but having different levels of substrate and sectioned off areas and different textures adds enrichment to the space. I think they need things like large tunnels and houses in a detolf so they don't feel too exposed from above. I like these set ups

Naturnahe Hamstergehege: Detolf

[ThereGoesLucie]

I love the detolf and wouldn't use anything else! So much room, even for large wheels, and my hamster has never been happier! She plays and digs all night!

[Aimeehammy]

Okay thankyou all so much for your help! I will go with the detolf !

[Pebbles82]

I want one too lol