Why does he sound like a rattlesnake?

starshme · 09-13-2014, 07:26 AM

Is it more common for dwarfs to be vocal? Spartacus makes a clicking sound when he's feeling irritated or if he is startled by something. I'm taking it very slowly with him and so far he's ventured over my fingers once when I let him climb out of the exercise ball. He was nippy at first, if my hands got in his way but I think he's figured out that skin is not food.

He's very active, seems happy in his cage - no bar biting and he seems to love his wheel. After having mainly silent Syrians, he's quite a change. I'm still not sure if he's going to be a 'fun to watch guy' or if he's going to come around.

I think we're making progress, it's early days yet.

We were startled by the noise he made because it didn't seem possible for such a tiny animal to make that sort of sound. I was putting his food dish in his cage and he let loose - I wound up dropping it - scatter feeding, I meant to do that. lol

**ianpallen** · 09-13-2014, 07:32 AM

Hams chatter their tee th if annoyed at something. I have not heard it from my hams, but if they get annoyed, they screech at me. All I know is it is a warning sign they make.

starshme · 09-13-2014, 07:37 AM

Oh I could tell it was a warning - for sure. It wasn't difficult to interpret at all. He has screeched a few times but that was mainly the first few days we had him. Now his main sound is the clicking, even when no one is near his cage.

He doesn't do it when he's out of his cage so I'm wondering if he's just very protective of his environment. I don't stick my hand in there unless I'm changing the water or food and he doesn't try to attack, so we'll see how it goes. He comes out willingly in a cup - well I don't know how willingly it is but he goes into the cup readily enough.

cypher · 09-13-2014, 07:42 AM

My dwarfs have tended to be quite vocal & not just when they're annoyed, Flynt chatters in my ear when he'd obviously quite content, he used to really screech when I first had him though clearly terrified of everything, Mickle makes so much noise in her sleep it's crazy lol!
If you've gone from screeching to clicking I think you've definitely made progress! It is still early days so just give it time, I'm sure he'll come around.

Teddy001 · 09-13-2014, 08:32 AM

I have a baby dwarf ham, and she made the clicking sound, the first few days that I had her. She made the sounds, at that time, when she was scared.

I've had her a few weeks, and she does not make the clicking sound, very often now. I think initially a newly brought home ham that may make that sound, means they are scared, and or giving a warning, to leave them alone.

Once they have adjusted to being handled and their human, the sound could mean differently.

Skeever · 09-13-2014, 08:34 AM

Technically, if they were starving and the only food was human flesh, I think we might actually be food. Just sayin.....

Don't rely on sheer hamster vegan good will in that department...

Of course they willingly go in a cup....they want the world to know they get carried around by slaves.

Anyone find a way to MAKE hammies vocal? I mean, ways where they still like you afterwards

starshme · 09-13-2014, 10:54 AM

Keep that technically to yourself, this guy doesn't need any encouragement. He's a little bit scary. I'm not relying on his good will for anything. lol

I meant he's going willingly into the cup - not quite sure he actually wants to come out of the cage yet. Yes, I am the cupbearer to his Leontes. He allows me to convey him to his ball of exercise.

Forcing hamsters into doing anything... let me know how that one works out and how many band aids I should send over.

Skeever · 09-13-2014, 11:18 AM

Gary Larson would have a field day with this thread. Two hamsters in a cage, one says to the other....if she finds you with that baby rattle, it's all over....."

starshme · 09-13-2014, 11:56 AM

LMAO I wouldn't put it past the little brat.