Dusty the Robo dwarf hamster.

[Dusty's Mom]

That all looks very impressive It is perfectly allowed to post about gerbils and other pets There is a whole section for "other pets" on here, so you could do a thread for the gerbils. @Daisy has gerbils as well

I have tried to spot a gerbil but afraid I couldn't. You should maybe add that photo to the "spot the hamster" thread Even if it's a gerbil.

So is the same playpen for both the gerbils and Dusty? Assume you'll need to wipe it out between them and change contents? Otherwise Dusty might be a bit freaked by the scent of gerbils.

In that photo of the playpen there were no animals in it at that time. Sorry if I made you think there were gerbils in there then.
Yes, they share this playpen. So far the scent of the gerbils being in there doesn't seem to bother Dusty at all. He seems very relaxed to me running around in the playpen. I posted a video of him in there. If it gets to be a scent problem, I can exchange the contents of the playpen and the cardboard flooring. I was thinking in the wild when they are out and about they must smell different animals. So I will keep watch for problems in that area. Dusty did so well going into the transport container from his cage to the playpen and back. No issues at all.

Thanks for the info to post about the gerbils here. I will do that!

 

[Maz]

He's exploring everything He doesn't seem too shy but seems to like to dive under something when he can. For his first time that's very positive and next time it will be familiar. I used to leave a little pile of food and the odd treat scattered around so that occupies them nomming at times. My last robo loved to use the flying saucer in his playpen.

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Thanks, Maz, I was very pleased that he seemed to enjoy exploring the whole playpen....or at least the parts he could get into. Here is another video of this mornings adventure.

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[Maz]

Good bit of exercise there for him He's so fast!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Those is great fun to watch! Such a smart little fellow! He has a wonderful play pen!

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Thanks, Maz, I was very pleased that he seemed to enjoy exploring the whole playpen....or at least the parts he could get into. Here is another video of this mornings adventure.

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Good bit of exercise there for him He's so fast!

It is hard to keep up with him when taking a video!

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Another Dusty video! He sort of plays with a couple chew toys and he discovers his maze!

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[Dusty's Mom]

Treats in the maze this time!

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[Socks' Mum]

Wonderful video! It's fascinating too see him packing things away in his memory and forming a map with the experience, and also actively compiling his map. Perhaps some soft bedding under the taller items as he seems to be a bit wary of falls. He really interacts with his toys and is having a great time!

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Wonderful video! It's fascinating too see him packing things away in his memory and forming a map with the experience, and also actively compiling his map. Perhaps some soft bedding under the taller items as he seems to be a bit wary of falls. He really interacts with his toys and is having a great time!

Could you explain more what you mean by he is a bit wary of falls? What did you see that indicates that? You know much more about hamsters than I and I would like to learn what to look for in this regard. Is there something in this playpen that is too tall for him to jump down from safely? And I have no idea what type of bedding to use 'only under the taller items' as fabric is a no no and paper bedding wouldn't stay only under certain items. Thanks

 

[Socks' Mum]

I thought he wanted to climb up onto the roof of the castle and considered going from the top of the maze on to the castle, but turned round and went onto the curvy ramp next to the maze instead. He might fall off the castle, but if it isn't high, he should be OK. A few bits of paper bedding around the bottom of some toilet paper might help as a crash mat. That's my thought,but I could be over estimating the height of the castle. It's a lovely play pen and he is having great fun!

 

[Socks' Mum]

The other thing I wondered about is if he could get stuck in the wooden ring. He might fit through it though.

 

[Dusty's Mom]

The other thing I wondered about is if he could get stuck in the wooden ring. He might fit through it though.

You have good points all around. I am always watching Dusty when he is in the playpen. What you call the castle I think is the hide that is square. He does have a bit of trouble getting up on it. And the curve thing on the other side of the maze is another hide. It is the roof of that hide. I know it is hard to tell from the video. He did sort of slip a bit on that roof. I was watching. I may stuff some toilet paper back between that hide and the side of the playpen to fill that in. Toilet paper is a good idea. He doesn't seem to have much trouble getting into and onto things he really wants to get onto. The ring toys I could have my son cut in half later. I have removed them for now. And the castle is like 4 inches tall. Thanks for the ideas!!

 

[Maz]

Just caught up with the videos It's a wonderful playpen He has so much to do and is exploring all of it. I don't think it needs bedding in there really although you could have a dig box maybe - just an idea.

I also think the rings could be a bit risky if he upended them and tried to climb through. It's lovely watching him push them around! I was also wondering about the round window in the wood hide. That's the type of thing they can get stuck in if it's not big enough. It would need to be at least 4cm in diameter, and 5 ideally. If it's a bit small then it can be blocked off by just glueing some dowels on the inside over it. I've had to do that before.

I think I'd add a wheel or flying saucer. So he has something to play on as well as explore He is so wonderful to watch though and he had that maze sussed so quickly!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Four inches should be safe. Yes, perhaps the wooden rings are better halved, just to be on the safe side. It's a pity but probably wise. He loves whizzing around in his playpen!

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Just caught up with the videos It's a wonderful playpen He has so much to do and is exploring all of it. I don't think it needs bedding in there really although you could have a dig box maybe - just an idea.

I also think the rings could be a bit risky if he upended them and tried to climb through. It's lovely watching him push them around! I was also wondering about the round window in the wood hide. That's the type of thing they can get stuck in if it's not big enough. It would need to be at least 4cm in diameter, and 5 ideally. If it's a bit small then it can be blocked off by just glueing some dowels on the inside over it. I've had to do that before.

I think I'd add a wheel or flying saucer. So he has something to play on as well as explore He is so wonderful to watch though and he had that maze sussed so quickly!

Thanks, Maz, he is enjoying it. The hole in the hide is fine. He has been through it several times with not trouble.

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Just caught up with the videos It's a wonderful playpen He has so much to do and is exploring all of it. I don't think it needs bedding in there really although you could have a dig box maybe - just an idea.

I also think the rings could be a bit risky if he upended them and tried to climb through. It's lovely watching him push them around! I was also wondering about the round window in the wood hide. That's the type of thing they can get stuck in if it's not big enough. It would need to be at least 4cm in diameter, and 5 ideally. If it's a bit small then it can be blocked off by just glueing some dowels on the inside over it. I've had to do that before.

I think I'd add a wheel or flying saucer. So he has something to play on as well as explore He is so wonderful to watch though and he had that maze sussed so quickly!

Hey Maz, to further comment on your suggestions (sorry I was called away before I could finish), I do have a dish of coco peat that he has dug in a little bit before. To tell the truth a dig box puzzles me. It seems they don't have anywhere to tunnel using a dig box. The ones I have seen are kind of deep. In the playpen I think I would have to provide a ladder up to the top of it. And what kind of substrate to put in a dig box? I have tried coco peat in dishes and he only runs on top of it. Same with cord granules. The only thing I see him really enjoy is sand and sand he cannot tunnel within a dig box. So I am confused as to the purpose and use of the dig box for a hamster. Maybe Dusty is just odd when it comes to digging in substrate. Or I don't have the right substrate for him. Any ideas are welcome!

 

[Dusty's Mom]

This is the playpen. It is hard to see what is going on it there without taking the top off and then it can still be hard to see through the smoke colored panels. So I added lights. Next pic....

I added string lights on the top of the roof and boy does that help me see what is going on in there.
These are cool burning LED lights that don't even feel warm if I leave them on for hours. I used tape to secure the lights
to the roof. So it is easy to remove when needed. And these lights dim too with an on/off switch! The last thing I am going to add
is a tank background to take the place of the paper I have up on the outside of the walls.

 

[Zara]

Hi there, you have an amazing setup for Dusty and he’s clearly having a lot of fun, great videos watching him explore. He’s so fast and very cute. I’m really liking the idea of an enclosed playpen raised off the floor, nice

 

[Dusty's Mom]

Hi there, you have an amazing setup for Dusty and he’s clearly having a lot of fun, great videos watching him explore. He’s so fast and very cute. I’m really liking the idea of an enclosed playpen raised off the floor, nice

Thank you very much, the raised off the floor is a must for me since I cannot get down on that floor and we have cats. I am also working on putting some cork sheeting down on the floor of this playpen so it isn't as slippery.