Do Robos need a sand area

[RJS]

Hi

I'm designing a new home for a Robo - it will be approx 1,100 square inches (46x24) with ample substrate depth and I'm wondering if I should incorporate a sand area into the plans and if so, how many square inches should be?

Thanks!

[cloudy]

Hello RJS. Robos should have a sand area. I have read they should have a third of their cage as a sand area. That is what I have done but my robo hardly uses it.

Your robo is going to have a wonderful amount of space.

[Ria P]

Yes, all dwarfs and especially Robos need sand. I'm just watching my foster Robo creating his own sand area by chucking the sand from his sand bath jar around.

[Pebbles82]

Yes. They need a sand bath - not necessarily a sand area. I have this one from Rodipet - it was a bit extravagant but it works a treat (the half cover stops sand flying out of the cage) - it's a nice cool place for them to go as well, being ceramic. And just the right size for a robo. However, it's heavy so either needs to be supported underneath, or on a shelf. Mine's on a shelf. If it's just sat on the substrate, a robo could tunnel under it and it fall on them.

I'm not keen on too much sand in a cage somehow. It's hard enough finding safe sand generally.

Rodipet® EasyClean Luxury Sand Bath

It's bigger than it looks on the photo - it has loads more space inside with our robo in it! Photo must be a particularly large robo (or a bad photoshopped robo!)

[Pebbles82]

Sorry - just seen you're in Canada so you can't get Rodipet stuff. Niteangel stuff seems almost identical - do they have one? If you decide to go for a sand area, I'd just make it one corner with a fence round it maybe.

[flowerfairy]

Most of my hamsters have loved their sand areas.

I reakon that a variety of substrates is good. Victoria ? on youtube has a great channel full of ideas. Cant remember her surname for some senile reason!

[Ria P]

Rachael, i think.

[flowerfairy]

Thats it Ria!

[Pebbles82]

Sand area it is then! I still wouldn't want too big a sand area.

[RJS]

Thanks everyone ... so a "reasonable" sand area it will be. I can always change the size once its done.

I've (jealously) looked at the Rodipet Site many times. Its too bad they won't ship to North America - which in this day and age it makes no sense. DHL would handle all the customs docs for them and it really won't be any harder for them to ship to us than anywhere else.

Anyway thanks for all the feedback

Rob