Raphael (Raffy's) Adventures

[Pebbles82]

Yes he does actually Ria. Something I'm very aware of - he does it a lot in the playpen every time. When he first used to do it I thought he had neurological problems! He doesn't just scent he sort of does this funny shaky about thing at the same time. But it is just scent marking. Never known a hamster scent mark so much.

He doesn't really do it on the sofa - unless he goes in his tube on the sofa then he scent marks inside his tube regularly.

[Ria P]

That is very interesting. I also used to wonder if there was something amiss with Clive. Clive throws himself about or against something rather and licks his scent glands sometimes. I always thought it's quite an odd behaviour. Sure, they all scent mark but not to that excess.

I've noticed a number of similarities in Raffy's and Clive's behaviours which i haven't come across in the other hamsters. I wonder if it has something to do with their backgrounds. Clive also belonged to a child and the child didn't even like him so who knows what he experienced.

Clive is still a bit of an oddball and i'm still trying to get to know him better.
I can imagine that you feel the same way about Raffy.

[Pebbles82]

In a way, yes. I think you're right and I've found it helpful hearing of Clive's experiences as a child's pet as well.

[Ria P]

Clive used to live in a completely bare cage with a tiny, useless wheel and a little house so high up, he couldn't get to it.

I wonder if this scent marking obsession has something to do with that. Who knows what kind of cage Raffy used to live in...

[Pebbles82]

I hate to think! He was a bizarre combination of super friendly and super scared when he arrived. Responded very much to voices but scared of hands. So I suspect he may have actually got a bit attached to the child as well, briefly, despite possible rough handling, and had that to handle as well. He always responds to a chirpy voice calling his name and perks up. In fact he is not happy unless he has your attention and talking to him, when he's out. Like he gets separation anxiety! Which is possible as well. Dogs get it - why not hamsters.

[ilguy]

I think I have a guess at this behavoir, were either Raffy or Clive originally housed in used bedding with their previous owners? I've seen a video of a hamster being put into an enclosure filled with bedding a prior hamster used. The poor little guy was slowly scurrying around wiggling his hips to scent mark as much as possible. His nether regions were stained yellow from how often he had to do it.

Just an idea

[Pebbles82]

That’s a thought ilguy. I suspect that probably wasn’t the case with Raffy. He was a child’s pet “that didn’t work out”. So I suspect they had never had a hamster before. Although I may be wrong. I think it might be also when they have been in a tiny cage and had full clean outs daily or weekly- all their scent removed a lot.

It does very much look like a kind of nervous habit the way he does it - almost like a tic. Although noticeably it’s mainly when he hasn’t been in the playpen for a day or two or I’ve put it in a different place. I think he also does it more when he’s a bit nervous about something or with any minor change. Doesn’t really do it in his cage though that I’ve seen.

I guess they are all a bit different. Our first Hamster Charlie, I never saw scent mark anything!

[Ria P]

Yes, that's the way i see it with Clive. A nervous habit because he doesn't do it in his cage either. Clive does it a lot when i speak to him just before picking him up. He really throws himself against the skirting board then.

[Stanza]

I’ve never noticed Hams do it in his cage either but he does it a lot when he first comes out in his playpen. I thought perhaps it was a change of scenery, although he’s used to his playpen time. He does it when out free roaming too. Sometimes his glands become really wet.

[ilguy]

Maybe his bad experience with his previous child was in a playpen or while free roaming? He seems like he's progressing well, and learning your scent isnt a source of danger. Maybe in a few more weeks he will do it less?