Tino's thread

[Maz]

Tino was banging at the bars again last night and came out in the bath again. I offered him the snooze cube first (it's easier to carry him in that) but he looked a bit wary. So I offered him the tube again and he happily walked into that. He is used to be transported in the tube now.

He was definitely in foraging mode last night and not interested in strokes. I used my camera with a slightly longer lens, rather than my phone, as it meant I could sit further away from him but still see close up (so he didn't have the phone in his face all the time ). I think he's getting a bit bored with the bath now, so I hope the playpen comes soon. You'll see on the video, that when he's finished foraging and filled his pouches, he looks up to tell me he wants to come out again. He discovered the carrot cottage could be nibbled on top

I think he's looking a bit more grown up now. I still love his ears I think they're a bit more in proportion now but still nice big ears!











The video is about 4 minutes but I think he's interesting to watch Really loves foraging for food! Anyone would think I didn't feed him ha ha.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Tino has a lovely dense coat and beautiful markings. I like his head size and shape! Great that he is speaking to you so well. Hope the playpen comes soon. HHH makes good stuff!

 

[elusive]

He really is coming out of his shell now, such a lovely boy.
He looked like he was enjoying a good forage there & really seemed to like having a nibble on the carrot cottage.

 

[Maz]

Thank you, yes he is behaving more like a settled hamster now

 

[oddvon]

Great photos Maz....Thank you for them... Its the sad thing about Syrians that they cant be housed together... I love the other breed for that fact .. xx

 

[Maz]

Aw thank you. Do you mean dwarf hamsters? It's not advisable to keep them together either. Not worth the risk.

 

[oddvon]

Aw thank you. Do you mean dwarf hamsters? It's not advisable to keep them together either. Not worth the risk.

really ??? That used to be the extra special factor about them.... Im glad Im on here... learning so much. Thanks Maz

 

[Maz]

There’s an article on the home page about it . Unfortunately some internet sites still say it’s ok to keep dwarf hamsters together. Some breeders may choose to do so but they are very experienced.

 

[Zara]

Great photos and video of Tino, he’s looking really relaxed. Lovely to hear he’s getting used to travelling in his cube too. His colouring is great, he’s gorgeous

 

[Maz]

Tino seems to be in a nightly habit of banging on the bars at about 10.30pm now. Comes out in the tube. Doesn't seem to want to be out that long - just enough time to pouch some food, snack and stretch then wants to go back again. So he's only out about 20 mins to half an hour. Which is fine as then Raffy is ready to be out at 11pm. Raffy would normally come out about 10.30pm so if he wants to come out earlier he'll have to start getting up earlier! But it's easier this way round as Raffy is out for longer.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I love the way he summons you! Perhaps Raffy is sharing out of cage time with him like a good uncle.

 

[elusive]

That sounds good, it helps it they can get into a routine that works for both of them.
I love the thought of him banging on the bars too!

 

[Maz]

Tino has been elusive for a while recently. I've let Raffy out the odd night just for 15 or 20 minutes, but no sign of Tino. Tonight though he was at the cage door wanting to come out. Raffy was already out in the living room so I took Tino to the downstairs bathroom in his tube.

And we actually had a bit of handling tonight Just a little bit. The first time I went to carefully pick him up after stroking him on the back and he squawked at me a bit, so I left it. He did a bit more foraging and I did a bit more stroking and then gently had him walking between my hands for a few minutes at bathtub level (better than being lifted). By the end, when he wanted to come out, he actually walked onto my hand to be lifted, so did a little bit more hand to hand then let him walk in his tube.

So that's a bit of progress. It would be nice if he could be handled before his cage upgrade as no doubt he'll disappear for a while then.

I usually find handling comes together more on the sofa when they're on the same level as you but no way am I letting him on the sofa again just yet!

 

[elusive]

That sounds great, glad to hear you & Tino are making progress, I hope he does start to come out more now.
I expect he will take a little while to settle after the upgrade but maybe once he has more to explore he might be out more
Don’t blame you for not risking the sofa!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Rodents are so clever! Careful what you wish for, he'll be banging on the bars quite a bit!

 

[Maz]

It was clever wasn't it? He finally decided coming out to the door was necessary if he wanted out. He was sat on his corner shelf next to the door and poked his nose round the door when I opened it, so offered him the tube.

It was really lovely when he walked on my hand when he wanted to come out of the bath though and it was slightly raised as well and he sat walking from hand to hand, slightly raised for a good couple of minutes. I had to put him down again as didn't have a hand free to reach for the tube, so he walked into that to go back.

 

[Socks' Mum]

You two are getting on so well!

 

[Maz]

Thank you Well it's taken quite a bit of time.

 

[Jain]

What a lovely clear video Tino was obviously checking out his favourite bits to eat he's adorable his lovely thick coat makes you want to cuddle him like a tiny Teddy a day to look forward to

 

[Maz]

I do indeed want to cuddle him! And can hope. Raffy has never been the cuddly type but will sit for a stroke for a couple of minutes.