Why does my mouse run away when I put my hand in the cage, but when i pick her up, she'll eat out of my hand?

Question

Like she eats out of my hands and stuff but whenever I stick my hand to pick her up, she goes psycho and runs all over the cage?

Answer 1

well think of it in her way. u are like 1000 times her size and ur sticking in this giant hand(in her eyes) into her cage thats trying to pick her up. she is just scared. its a totally normal reaction, somewhat. my rodents did that. only they ran around the cage not go psycho. anyways, dont worry, shes fine.

Answer 2

I would be willing to bed you are coming down at an angle - and to small rodents that looks like a bird swooping at them (which scares them). Try putting your hand flat down against the bedding (put a piece of food in your palm if need be).

Answer 3

Maybe she has had bad experiences with getting picked up. You know getting picked up must be very frightening...

Oh ya, my guinea pigs do the same...  but they hav'nt had a bad experience, unless it was before I got them.

Answer 4

Hamsters are prey animals, and think of their cage as their 'den' or 'safe haven'. They feel secure inside the cage and very threatened when something large, that could be a predator, reaches into their 'den'. When held they know that you are also safe, and that you won't hurt them. It's just part of their instincts!

Answer 5

Some rodents are like that. They just get scared. It will take her a while to get used to it.