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Question

I got a female teddy bear hamster from a pet store that ended up being pregnant. A few days after I brought her home she made a next inside of her wheel and had nine babies. For some reason she ate five of them. The wheel is one that is on the outside of the cage so there is a hole where she can get in and out but the babies won't be able to. They are four days old now. Should I put the wheel in the cage and open it up or leave it as it is? If I open it the nest will of course fall out and I know disturbing the nest isn't a good thing. I've been reading up on Syrian hamsters and it says that they will start kind of wandering around for a while after a few days but they will return to the nest, but they aren't able to get out of the nest to wander around. Anyone who knows for sure if I should leave it or take them out please let me know. Thank you.

Answer 1

You might not need to move the nest at all! Baby hamsters will continue to nurse from the mother until they are ready to walk, and when they walk they should have no trouble leaving the wheel and getting back in. Your mother will also move the babies herself by carrying them in her mouth one by one to a new location if she chooses. If a baby gets out of the wheel and cannot get back in the mom will hear it cry and come help it back to the nest.  Your hamster is already used to your smell, so moving the nest should not be too horrible if you choose to do so. Our hamsters ate babies due to stress or lack of nutrients in her diet. It takes a lot for any kind of mom to give birth and if she doesn't have vitamins in her water she may continue to kill the babies. If you don't have vitamins you should do so and use exactly the recommended amount. Too much vitamins can dehydrate your pet or make it sick.

Be sure to learn the s*x of the babies at about 2 weeks if you keep them, they'll need to be seperated. Most pet stores will take the babies back if the female was pregnant when you purchased her.

Answer 2

well first she probably ate the babies because they were sick and don't worry about it now it's too late to do anything and I understand you feel concern for the babies and they are definitely not in a very safe place but personally I don't know what you should do since I have a male syrian. But go to http://www.hamsterific.com  for information.

Answer 3

don't in any way disturb the nest. she will eat the rest of the babies most likely. if they need out of the nest, the mother will carry them. you can't touch them in any way. just be really quiet and DON'T TOUCH THE CAGE NEST MOTHER OR PUPS!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Ok,your pregnant female at five babies becuase she was stressed.becuase she was pregnant when u got her.moving to a different place and cage made her stressed.thats why she ate five babies.Your other question now...Well leave them in there and let the mom do what she has to do :) hope i helped!