J. F. Sebastian, our new Syrian baby..

[aaronjb]

I introduced myself elsewhere and posted the first picture of J. F. (points to anyone who knows where the name is from), but I thought I'd come here to discuss him a little more and perhaps allay some of our worries.

Oh, and to shamelessly post another picture of him (see below) That's him with an egg box and a tissue that smells of me (probably).


According to the shop he's about 12 weeks old (ok, approaching 13 now) and for now he's quite timid; we've had him here in a starter cage since last Sunday at this point.

Right now he's spending most of his time in the corners, hoarding his food, and when we're not about running on his wheel - that much we know as you can hear it all over the house!


We're trying to follow the advice on taming, although at the moment he's still not brave enough to really run onto our hands if we lay a hand in the bottom of his cage. He'll take treats from us but that's about as far as it goes at the moment - though we may have suffered a slight set-back when he shot out of his 'burrow' at my better half and she shrieked and whipped her hand away out of the cage.

On the plus side, he doesn't bite - he has the occasional nibble if your hand is in there but never to break the skin, just to check if I'm food or not I think. A soft "No" makes him stop and he goes back to sniffing and exploring.


I'm guessing at this point we should probably leave him be (obviously provide new food and water daily!) and just talk to him when we're nearby rather than trying to invade his space again...


Anyway, advice and reassurance gratefully accepted

[happysaz133]

He's gorgeous, what a sweet little face

[aaronjb]

He is lovely - although this morning he decided to be a bighty little so and so and gave the both of us a good nip on the fingers when we said good morning (he was up and about at 6am and playing in his wheel)!

I persevered though and sat with him for 10 minutes or so and was able to scoop him into my hands and have him run through hand tunnels for a little while before he sat in my hands and investigated my shirt sleeves

Obligatory pics attached (because people on Facebook are probably bored of these already )

[Ice.creame]

he's so cute he looks like my little brownies

[souffle]

He is very much still a baby and is gorgeous.
You sound to be doing really well with him to be honest so keep doing what you are doing and he will soon be tame and friendly. Maybe taking him out the cage in a tube or box would help? Try and handle several short sessions a day and also lure him to the door and see if he will climb out himself in to your hand.

[Digga]

Bladerunner.

[Stockannette]

Sleeve transport! Our Carmelita seems disappointed whenever she discovers my husband is wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

She's also much more receptive if we put down a bowl or cup with a treat in it and gently lift her out of her bin, to play on the sofa or floor with us.

[Lougarry]

Such a little cutie

[DrKMcK]

He's a cutie. But, do you know what I really like? In the picture, the expression on your face is so intent and it looks like you are very gentle with J. F. Sebastian. He's a lucky little hammy.

[psl]

Originally Posted by souffle

He is very much still a baby and is gorgeous.
You sound to be doing really well with him to be honest so keep doing what you are doing and he will soon be tame and friendly. Maybe taking him out the cage in a tube or box would help? Try and handle several short sessions a day and also lure him to the door and see if he will climb out himself in to your hand.

Like souffle said I agree with her. When our hamster came to us he was very jumpy to start with but we left him alone atleast 2 weeks trying what you did but we did with a ball and let him play his ball for abit then put the ball back to door and he came out.
it will take time and before you know it he will come out whenvere you called him and going into the room.