Hi from me and Norbert Wrigglebottom

[Maz]

Thank you for that tip. Another member had a similar one that was wood so I assumed it was wood I have some little rocks steps for our robos cage that were an aquarium ornament. He loves them. Runs up them, sits on them and hides under them (there's a little kind of cave underneath).

 

[Maz]

I was just coming back to ask about this, as all the shavings seem to be pine. I'm glad I double checked before I ordered!! Rightiho, aspen will be the order then. Thank you

If you really like shavings the Chipsi ones are part pine part spruce (spruce is equivalent to hardwood) but people have really moved away from pine shavings entirely now - except in specific circumstances (I think Beryl used them partially with a diabetic hamster for a particular reason). Just to do with the uncertainty over the amount of phenols, when there are other options.

 

[Maz]

I stick with the paper bedding (Fitch) it's soft and hamsters like it and holds tunnels fairly well. They sometimes take bits for their nest. Fitch is sold in bulk so works out cheap but you need somewhere in doors to store the bag! The 10kg bag is about the size of a child's beanbag. Kaytee clean and cozy is popular too. Some people use a variety of substrates.

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

I had no idea a cockatoo had such a powerful bite!
You must have almost exploded with your efforts of not expressing your dismay.

Yes they do indeed. They can (without too much effort) clamp down with up to 1 ton of pressure! Definitely the worst bite I received in all my years of rescue work!

 

[Maz]

I wouldn't worry too much though, as Beryl says the cage looks amazing and he's enjoying it

 

[Riven]

Hello and welcome! How lovely to see Norbert looking nice and relaxed in his environment already.

I've been bitten by 2 of my past syrians, both rescues but it was my fault on the one occasion. I went to the rescue and the hamster had just woken up, I didn't know this. I put my hand in for him to smell and he bit me. Still took him home though, and that was the first and last time he bit me. The second time was from a female who was about to have a stroke and then before she had a seizure. It's enough to make you yelp and bleed but that's it. They only bite and draw blood because of pain or fear. You may get a test nibble so you may feel varying degrees of pressure but doesn't break the skin. Personally, a quick nip off a guinea pig is worse and a few of my rats have nipped harder than the syrians bite (but somehow didn't break the skin). If you're worried put on some gloves until you're both used to each other.

Regarding your set up. It looks good and there's nothing I'd be in a rush to change. Maybe in time add a few more hides, few forage sprays (millet, dari, wheat etc) Maybe get a larger dish for the sand if he uses it. I've had syrians use it as a toilet and others have loved to dig around in it. If you want to use a different substrate to add a variety of textures then fitch is great like already mentioned, but I notice there's a bag of megazorb in the photo's, you can also use that too.

Out of curiosity, what size is the wheel?

 

[Maz]

It looks like the 26cm Mousebro wheel? . Raffy had a 25cm wheel to start with.

 

[Maz]

I also had a look at your other youtube videos The rude talking budgie is hilarious lol!

 

[Zara]

Hi there and welcome, what fantastic pictures of Norbert Wriggle bottom, he’s super cute. Great enclosure, he looks like he’s really enjoying his exploring. Look forward to hearing more about him. Ouch to the cockatoo bite, that does sound painful.

 

[Maz]

Maybe you could add your cage photo to the "Show us your cages" thread when you have chance? Always helps others to have some inspiration.

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

Hello and welcome! How lovely to see Norbert looking nice and relaxed in his environment already.

I've been bitten by 2 of my past syrians, both rescues but it was my fault on the one occasion. I went to the rescue and the hamster had just woken up, I didn't know this. I put my hand in for him to smell and he bit me. Still took him home though, and that was the first and last time he bit me. The second time was from a female who was about to have a stroke and then before she had a seizure. It's enough to make you yelp and bleed but that's it. They only bite and draw blood because of pain or fear. You may get a test nibble so you may feel varying degrees of pressure but doesn't break the skin. Personally, a quick nip off a guinea pig is worse and a few of my rats have nipped harder than the syrians bite (but somehow didn't break the skin). If you're worried put on some gloves until you're both used to each other.

Regarding your set up. It looks good and there's nothing I'd be in a rush to change. Maybe in time add a few more hides, few forage sprays (millet, dari, wheat etc) Maybe get a larger dish for the sand if he uses it. I've had syrians use it as a toilet and others have loved to dig around in it. If you want to use a different substrate to add a variety of textures then fitch is great like already mentioned, but I notice there's a bag of megazorb in the photo's, you can also use that too.

Out of curiosity, what size is the wheel?

Hi and thank you I've had two rabbit bites as well as the aforementioned cockatoo bite , and the rabbit bites bleed like crazy! One I fully deserved because I was teasing her with a bit of carrot in order to get a good posed photo, and one when I was medicating a rabbit. He didn't bite me, but his devoted wifebun flew across the pen and launched herself on me.
There was another situation with a very emotionally and mentally destroyed bunny but that was a completely different story. With her, I padded up and sat on the floor of my assessment room and just let her attack and attack and attack me, until she realised that no matter what she did, or what she didn't do , no harm or punishment would ever come her way again. That same night she dragged herself on to my lap and just slept and slept in my arms, god love her. I can pop her video in, but not sure if it's allowed as not a hamster?
Norbert's wheel is 10.2 inches,/26cm

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

Maybe you could add your cage photo to the "Show us your cages" thread when you have chance? Always helps others to have some inspiration.

Yes certainly, I'd be happy to

 

[RainbowBrite]

Anne, you are amazing to let the rabbit do that. I watched some of the rabbit videos on you channel. I used to have a rabbit that I rescued from awful neglect so they really touched me.

 

[Maz]

That is an amazing story about the rabbit. There is a section on here for other pets so you could add anything you want on there

Your other pets

A place to chat about your other pets

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

Anne, you are amazing to let the rabbit do that. I watched some of the rabbit videos on you channel. I used to have a rabbit that I rescued from awful neglect so they really touched me.

Thank you with all my heart for rescuing that bunny

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

That is an amazing story about the rabbit. There is a section on here for other pets so you could add anything you want on there

Your other pets

A place to chat about your other pets

www.thehamsterforum.com

Oh that's wonderful, thank you so much!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Thank you with all my heart for rescuing that bunny

I rescued him at 18 months and he lived to be over 9 which was amazing.

 

[Maz]

I think you and Beryl have a lot in common. She rescues hamsters.

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

I also had a look at your other youtube videos The rude talking budgie is hilarious lol!

LOL Philip had an incredible vocabulary and a gift for learning. I often said to him in response to his rudeness "Philip, that is NO way to speak to your mother!!" Without fail he would respond by telling me to kiss his a**e I wouldn't have changed a single thing

 

[Norbert Wrigglebottom]

I think you and Beryl have a lot in common. She rescues hamsters.

I love this