Is climbing always stress?

[NuggetHam]

My 6 month old hamster has become interested in climbing, especially during playpen time. I have been watching his videos to make sure he’s not stressed and he has been chill and busy and happy until last night where he repeatedly climbed up on his sandbox. Should I worry? Does he need more space or more climbing toys? He’s discovered that he can climb up my wool sweater in the playpen and I’m wondering if it’s given him ideas? He also spends a ton of time climbing into his coco soil dig box which he loves. I hope he’s ok. thank you

 

[Maz]

No it isn't Hamsters usually climb to see if they can escape/get out of something. The first night in a new enclosure, they almost always climb things. To check the place out and see if there are any exits. I've seen that in my barred cages every time virtually, but after the first night they stop bothering to climb the bars once they know there are no secret exits anywhere! Syrians that is. Dwarf hammies do sometimes still climb bars - usually when they want to come out.

Climbing your jumper is probably just curiosity and exploring. While they do like to climb, they are not very good at getting down again from things, and tend to just drop! Or jump like lemmings - which is dangerous for them. So while they are intelligent in some ways, they are pretty silly in others. Although most of my syrians have been hesitant about height or tried to climb down carefully (headfirst down the sofa!).

I think they are just hard wired to always explore further. Even when mine are free roaming in one room, they are happy for a few days but then want to get past the door to the next room! No space is every big enough for them!

Constant climbing in a cage or enclosure could suggest stress, or a desire for out of cage time. It sounds like he already has playpen time. Night time is their most active time though - hamsters do sometimes still investigate if they can get out at night, but most burn up energy running on their wheels. First thing to check usually, is if the wheel is spinning ok and not jammed, as if it is they can go a bit stir crazy with pent up energy.