Introducing Popcorn!

[alisont]

I got Popcorn from P@H adoption area today - after posting for identification help in hamster chat I gather he is a hybrid mandarin colour.

I've experience of Russian hamsters, Chinese and Syrians but not Hybrids so want to find out lots of info so I can offer the best diet/care for Popcorn.

He's 13 weks old, not held him yet but he's settled straight in - very cute and curious!

I so need to get him a wheel - I was going to get a flying saucer as my Chinese loves his but could not find one today so will have to order online, he did not have a wheel in the shop so think he will cope until I get one.

Here he is:

[Knotty]

He's very cute, lovely colouring!! His body shape is very much like our winter white, Puddles.

Hybrid hams are actually russian

[alisont]

Originally Posted by Knotty

He's very cute, lovely colouring!! His body shape is very much like our winter white, Puddles.

Hybrid hams are actually russian

Ah so they were right saying russian!
He was on normal hamster dry mix in store so have put him that and will see what he likes as he settles in - I was going to start off slowly with any vege/protein treats as he won't be use to that.

[Knotty]

Yes

The regular mixes you get in stores are often too high in sugar for diabetes prone hamsters (hybrids are diabetes prone) so it's best to be careful with what kind of mix you give. If there aren't many mixes available, then it's best to remove all of the flaked peas and sweetcorn from the mix, and try maybe mixing in some bird seed, perhaps millet. Mealworms will go down really well too.

[Stockannette]

Gorgeous!!

[alisont]

Thanks - with Dudley my Chinese I hardly ever top his dry food bowl up as he tends to ignore most of it! He has little snacks but I don't give fruit but he likes low sugar vege, cereal, his favourite is a tiny bit of cheese, a bean,tofu or rice/pasta or my homemade rice pudding which I make sugar free, but he likes seeds and nuts too. I remove the high sugar parts from the dry food for him. Dudley's never shown signs of diabetes and he's now around 2 to 2.5 years old.

Typically Popcorn when he found his food dish went straight for a flaked pea.

I've never brought mealworms - can't bring myself to as I'm a vegan and I'd struggle to buy/give those but we do have all types of bird seeds here for our feeding station so can see what might be suitable.

[Dandelion07]

I love Popcorn's amazing stripe - looks like he enjoys the camera!

[alisont]

Thanks, I don't normally disturb them with the camera on the first night, but this guys confident and seems very happy - he's loving a sand bath so funny watching him in there.
I'm off to search for a wheel online now.
Can see me upgrading his cage before too long as think he may like more space when he's bigger but at the mo he's fine, somehow think he might be more active then my Chinese hammy.

[Leesha]

Hello again Popcorn! ...*adds to hamster nap list* !!

[September]

Aww!! Popcorn, you're adorable! And such a lovely name