New Robo help

[RoboMommy]

Hi everyone.

My husband and I adopted an adorable rescue robo 2 weeks ago named Orpheus (9 months). He was super friendly when he met at the animal sanctuary and first 2 nights. Then he discovered burrowing and it went downhill. Won’t see him for a few days at a time but see signs he's fine in the morning. He's as the bottom of his enclosure we think under about 8 in of bedding so scent or sound or lures don’t work and can’t isolate what section he's in to strategically get at

 

[Maz]

Hello there. If it's two weeks he should have about settled in now. They often hide away at first until they've adjusted to the new cage and environment but by about 2 weeks they tend to feel more confident and be out and about more. Robos do love to dig and burrow. Even if you gave less bedding, he is likely to just pile it all up in one area and burrow under that!

Robos are all different, but with my last one it was a case of - some days you'd see him and some days you wouldn't! They love their wheels though so presumably he's out at some point on his wheel.

They all vary - I had one that was more of a daytime robo and would come out in the afternoon. My last one only came out at night after we'd gone to bed, for quite some time (he was a rescue as well) but eventually started being out in his cage in the evenings.

Do you give him a bit of fresh veg daily? One thing you can do is put that out early evening - maybe 7pm ish and put it on a separate little dish at the opposite end of the enclosure to his burrow. The smell will draw him out and he should get in the habit of coming out around that time each evening if you put the veg out at the same time each evening. Cucumber is a favourite usually!

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks so much. We've tried the fresh veggie trick but he's so far under I don't think he can smell it, and I admit we could be more consistent. But we're pretty persistent and will get more on a schedule - I think we kind of became disheartened by how deep he was and lack of progress so far. We also haven't tried cucumber. I asked his adoption agent, who spoke to some volunteers, and he said they had no consistent schedule there and they'd always dig him out. I don't want to resort to that or taking bedding away but need to hit the reset button...I've thought of maybe temporarily sectioning off his enclosure and putting all his stuff on one side with a teeny bit less bedding to help him adjust and get used to us? Any more ideas would be super welcome. And again thanks a bunch.

 

[Maz]

I would give it a bit longer. Two weeks isn't very long. And yes try cucumber He is still getting used to new people and new surroundings. Do you talk to him regularly (even if it's just like talking to an empty cage!)? That can help them get used to you - chat to him a bit every day through the cage - tell him all kinds of nice reassuring stuff! Don't tell him off ha ha. They pick up tone in your voice.

Do you have a photo of his set up? We might be able to suggest the odd thing as well. I wouldn't change anything just yet though. Presumably he uses his wheel? Even if it's at night. Some people get a "hamstercam" (they're not that expensive) and then you can either watch live on your phone in bed or watch the recording next day - and see what he gets up to. It's not uncommon for robos to be a bit slow settling in Don't worry about handling just now - it'll come.

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Believe me I constantly talk to the little guy. Sing lullabies too. Happy our cam is being set up tonight - it’ll ease both of our anxiety. And yes clear evidence uses wheel - I’ll do an intro post once I’m back home (away for the weekend). Even gentle taps won’t get him out and he’s skittish around big hand motions so bit worried about how we’ll get him out for the vet…But feeling a lot better now. Any ideas of what I can do to make my I’m here message heard under there? I think if we can do something he can detect better from down under that far…again thanks.

 

[Maz]

It's just a bit of time and patience really - it is frustrating though. Although when you get chance, it would help to see your set up in case he feels a bit exposed above ground maybe

 

[RoboMommy]

We added a few more hiding places up there lol. Thinking of pairing a nice sound with his fresh veggies and gentle light change. Thoughts? And again thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Maz]

It's best not to start making changes just now or you'll freak him out But if we see a photo we might be able to suggest the odd tweak that won't freak him out!

 

[Maz]

We added a few more hiding places up there lol. Thinking of pairing a nice sound with his fresh veggies and gentle light change. Thoughts? And again thanks for the encouragement.

Posted at the same time Adding the odd new thing should be accepted ok as long as it doesn't mean moving things around or taking them out. Maybe the new hides will make him curious to explore them Do you have any sprays? Robos love those usually and they make it feel more sheltered.

 

[RoboMommy]

He loves them. Specially flaxseed.
And just gave him a bunch.
Will send pic soon.
Thanks so much

 

[Socks' Mum]

Congratulations on your new Robo, and welcome to the forum I think temperature changes tell deep burrow dwellers what time it is and when it is dark enough, or getting dark and they can come out. Also hunger and their body clock. Orpheus (marvellous name!) has a fast metabolism and is designed for a high energy, active life, so you should see quite a lot of him, but he may favour very late or very early hours, and be seen more on the cam than in person at least initially. Part of his first task as a hamster will be to explore, memorise and scent mark all potential escape routes and food sources as well as enjoy regular sand baths. Once he has done this, he should become more adventurous. Adding hides etc shouldn't be a problem and might give him more to do and more enrichment, but viewing the ham can should give you an idea of how he feels. It is very exciting getting a new hamster. Initially your interaction might be mainly in the form of arranging his environment and foraging for him. He should enjoy hunting for his favourite foods and using his nose and sensitive whiskers to investigate everything. Hopefully he will associate your smell and sounds with food, especially if your routines coincide. Keep us posted, this is very interesting

 

[Rescued One]

Hello there. If it's two weeks he should have about settled in now. They often hide away at first until they've adjusted to the new cage and environment but by about 2 weeks they tend to feel more confident and be out and about more. Robos do love to dig and burrow. Even if you gave less bedding, he is likely to just pile it all up in one area and burrow under that!

Robos are all different, but with my last one it was a case of - some days you'd see him and some days you wouldn't! They love their wheels though so presumably he's out at some point on his wheel.

They all vary - I had one that was more of a daytime robo and would come out in the afternoon. My last one only came out at night after we'd gone to bed, for quite some time (he was a rescue as well) but eventually started being out in his cage in the evenings.

Do you give him a bit of fresh veg daily? One thing you can do is put that out early evening - maybe 7pm ish and put it on a separate little dish at the opposite end of the enclosure to his burrow. The smell will draw him out and he should get in the habit of coming out around that time each evening if you put the veg out at the same time each evening. Cucumber is a favourite usually!

If he is used to being "dug out" you might dig down a bit before placing the fresh food; he may be able to smell it better that way. And do be consistent about the time for that. My Luna refused to come out for about the same amount of time - I finally did resort to digging her out and offered the fresh and treats when I did. She was coming out on her own in a week or so. Also, are you just offering bedding or is there a hide in the habitat as well? Another trick I used was to pile bedding under/around the hide and reduce it in the rest of the cage to encourage the use of the hide.