is it normal please help

[eclipse]

sorry if this is in the wrong place.
my hamster (Sheila) wont come out of her tunnel unless she is getting some food or a drink, now i've only had males before and they always been out and about do you think there is some thing wrong or is this normal she has only been with me a few days

[n_t]

are you talking about the tubes in your cage? maybe she is a bit shy? if you've got a big cage and wheel then maybe you should remove tubes until she gets used to sleeping in one of those little hamster houses. my hammy used to sleep in his tubes until someone on here told me they can get lung problems and infections from sleeping in moist areas and stuffy places. well its been two weeks that i've removed the tubes from my cage and he is very happy he is sleeping in a hammy home with loads of bedding and he runs around in his wheel etc so i'm going to put the tubes back when he is at least around 1/2 months old, he's only 8 weeks

[liam4mail]

Thanks n_t. I feel better now for removing the top from Toby's box. The open top now means his bed will be ventilated. I learn so much from you all!

[leafpool14]

Females do tend to be more shy than males and not so 'out-going'

But taking the tubes out would be a start. I don't have tubes in my cage because its hard to clean and the bedding goes all over the carpet when my hamster nests in there

But instead of tubes, I have lots and lots of toys and a wheel, its much better

Leafpool

[Emma1978]

I had a hamster who spent majority of first 48 hours I had her in the toilet roll tube, so I named her Heidi (hide-y!) She soon settled down though.

[eclipse]

stop her going in her tunnels and now she is more active and seems much happier thanks for your advice