Why do my Roborovski Hamsters keep biting me?

Question

I've had them for half a day now, and my hand is covered with painful bite marks! They ALWAYS bite me whenever I hold them, which is opposite of what they're supposed to be like. What's wrong with my hamsters?

Answer 1

hey now! a half a day! you cant be picking them up in half a day! they need two days to learn there new environment and then need to be hand trained first.  nothing is wrong with your hamsters. the only thing wrong here is the way you are training them!  stop doing what you are doing if dont want mean, biting hamsters. if you want sweet, non-biting hamsters follow these directions for socialization:After a day or two, it's time to introduce yourself. Wait until dusk. All hamster interactions should take place on the hamster's schedule. The early evening is when your pet is fully awake and ready to play. Always handle your hamster with freshly washed hands. You don't want your finger mistaken for a carrot or stalk of celery! To handle your hamster properly, slowly put your hand in the cage and let your hamster get to know your scent. Offer a tidbit of food and let it nibble. Stroke your pet's fur with the finger of your other hand, but avoid petting your hamster's head. In five days to a week, once your hamster has accepted your arrival, your scent and your treats, your pet should be feeling comfortable in its new home. Now it's time to pick up your friend. Your pet needs to sense that you're not tense or frightened. If you're stressed, your pal will get stressed, too. Still, proceed with caution. A startled, anxious or scared hamster will flee, nip or panic, which can lead to injuries for both of you.

There are four recommended ways to lift your hamster, but most importantly, never lift your hamster by the scruff of the neck. Slide one hand under the body and place the other hand, over the back. Cup your hands and scoop. Then, encircle your hamster with one hand.

Practice these maneuvers just above the ground or over a tabletop. Most premature hamster deaths, as well as fractures and internal injuries come from falls.

then, you and your hamsters will be friends and can be easily held. keep in mind that waking a hamster makes them grumpy and mad and more likely to bite! good luck!

Answer 2

be gentle! rub your hand over a carrot and feed it to them through the bars of the cage. then stroke them, and pick them up and set them back down. after awhile feed them stuff in your hands. maybe they are sick..... get a vet.

Answer 3

I think that because you have only had them for about a day, they are stressed. My hamster di that to me, and I learned to leave him alone for a day. After a while I started to wear gloves to hold him so he'd get used to my scent, now I can hold him all I want without getting bitten!! Maybe to make him trust you, feed him by hand. That is what I did, and it worked. Eventually he will climb into your hand and you can pick him up GENTALLY and play with him!!!

Hope I helped!!!

~Animal_Lover

Answer 4

you should leave them alone to settle into their new home. they're probs scared. they'll be fine in a few days. just stay close to them to let them get used to ur smell.