Dwarf Hamster Behavior
Often the dwarf hamster has been given a bad reputation for being ill-tempered and quick to bite, but this behavior is usually a result of mishandling or sudden disturbance. Dwarf Hamsters can be tamed with a little practice and patience.
When starting this process of taming, it’s best to progress in ideal circumstances, when your not in a rush and in the evening when the hamster itself is in a happy playful mood. How do you know when your hamster is in a playful mood? Luckily they show communication through their body language and voice signals.
Here are the some of the behaviors and body languages basics:
Curious and interested
Running around their cage, digging, climbing are signs of a healthy and happy hamster.
Interested and Curious
Sitting on their hind legs, relaxed and sniffing for periods of time. Front legs about level with their belly and it’s front toes are point towards the ground, they are in an overall relaxed position being curious.
Scared
Ear will be tilted back, standing with one or both front feet raised, often hissing or squeaking. This hamster when hamster is agitated and ready to bite. Do not touch and best to leave them alone as they are not bluffing.
Defensive Posture on guard to attack
Sometimes when frightened, will lie on it’s back and expose it’s belly and showing it’s large incisors and will use them if necessary. This is a serious attacking position, do not attempt to touch.
Different territory
Hamster will look like they have flattened themselves out because and this is because they can’t smell thier markings or something that is familiar to them. They use Scent markings to locate where they are and make your pet feel safe. Due to having really poor eyesight, they then rely on their sense of smell scent to locate a path that is familiar, and without the scent markings your hamster is feeling uncomfortable.
Sleeping Hamster
Often buried in the bedding material curled up in a ball. It’s best not to wake up a sleeping hamster, as it could startle them and then they could be in an BAD mood.
Vocalizations
If you hear a hamster talking, it’s for an important reason like your hamster feels threatened or is threatening an attack or expressing danger. Babies have the ability to call one another by using an ultra sonic range and some predators don’t have the ability to hear.
Scent marking
As they don’t really have good eyesight, an important thing for them for is to mark their territory. They use scent to locate paths, boundaries, their nests and breeding times.
Activity
At night time is when they tend to be most active. Daylight hours, shorter days and colder temperatures also changes their behavior, often requiring more more sleep!
Stashing Hamster
This is a natural instinct for them to stash food, and they love to stash far more than it can ever eat. Remember to move the stashed food daily, so your pet isn’t eating spoiled food.
Sheltered Hamster
Dwarf hamsters have natural instincts to burrow and love to tunnel and keep themselves covered. By also providing your pet with a hide home inside their cage will be appreciated by them.
Playful Hamster
Running, jumping, leaping and flipping are all signs of a healthy active playtime.
