(no subject)
This is my first post, and I'd like to start by saying I have never owned a hamster before, and still don't. And I don't plan to- not that I don't like thme, just that I'm busy with what I have now and if I do decide to get another pet I'd prefer a reptile or a rat.
I have a question for you all:
Where I work (a wildlife nature center) we have several wild animals (coyotes, raccoons, foxes, birds, birds of prey, etc) as well as pet rodents that we "lend" in our "lending library" where people pay to take home an animal of there choice for a week. It's a good way to make money for a good place that recently had its funding taken away (Thanks to the new governer of California). I'd also like to say that the animals are VERY well cared for and loved by the volunteers.
But the hamsters... they don't like me. The other animals we rent out are mice, guinea pigs, and rats- animals I've owned in the past and know how to handle, hold, approach, what not to do, what they don't like yadda yadda. But I don't know these things with hamsters and I've had hamsters snap and lunge at me (they are apparently VERY kind) whenever I try to clean, change food, bedding, blankets, or even to just take them out.
They aren't very active, I'm assuming because they are noctournal...
but my questions are... What can I do to prevent future bitings? What do hamsters not like? How do I approach them in their cage? Are they cranky if I wake them up?
Wow that was long. I apologize and thank you in advanced for the help.
I have a question for you all:
Where I work (a wildlife nature center) we have several wild animals (coyotes, raccoons, foxes, birds, birds of prey, etc) as well as pet rodents that we "lend" in our "lending library" where people pay to take home an animal of there choice for a week. It's a good way to make money for a good place that recently had its funding taken away (Thanks to the new governer of California). I'd also like to say that the animals are VERY well cared for and loved by the volunteers.
But the hamsters... they don't like me. The other animals we rent out are mice, guinea pigs, and rats- animals I've owned in the past and know how to handle, hold, approach, what not to do, what they don't like yadda yadda. But I don't know these things with hamsters and I've had hamsters snap and lunge at me (they are apparently VERY kind) whenever I try to clean, change food, bedding, blankets, or even to just take them out.
They aren't very active, I'm assuming because they are noctournal...
but my questions are... What can I do to prevent future bitings? What do hamsters not like? How do I approach them in their cage? Are they cranky if I wake them up?
Wow that was long. I apologize and thank you in advanced for the help.