Taming my two new dwarfs.

Question
Well i just got two new dwarfs today. They are robo dwarfs and i don't know their sex either!): So as of now they don't have names..But that is not my main problem. I have had them for like 10 hours or so and they have been running and playing and still i havent seen them get a drink of water! The water bottle is above one of their castle things because if i don't put it there they can't get it because it is up to high. They still haven't got a drink! I want to start taming them in a few days. I know for the first 2 or 3 days they should be quietly observed and then once they are used to everything then you can start taming. Also out of the two i have one big one and one little one. I don't know how to figure out their genders! So help on care and sexing would be very helpful and greatly appriciated.! Alsoo can i use aspen shavings because i have heard NO CEDAR AND PINE but nothing about aspen. Well thank you in advance.!(:

Answer
Hi Amanda

Robos are very fast and will never totally calm down but you should be able to get them used to being handled.  It really is a case of persevering  - talk to them a lot so that they recognize your voice and it should make it easier to handle them.  I also rub some of the hamster's bedding onto my hands before I pick them up so that they aren't as worried when you handle them.

Regarding their water consumption - they should drink very little.  If you ever notice a hamster drinking water you know that there is probably something wrong.  Providing the water bottle is within easy reach of them that should be fine.  If necessary build up a ramp to it so that they can reach it.  If you are giving fresh vegetables as part of their daily food consumption they will be getting moisture from this.

The best way to sex them is to compare them - check they are the same sex - do they look the same?  This site is dedicated to robos and should help you determine their sex:: http://roborovskihamsters.webs.com/sexing.htm

It can be difficult to sex baby robos - both sexes have scent glands but these are usually more obvious on males.  It appears as a yellowish mark on the belly.  With females you can often see a row of nipples.  Also, the two openings are very close together, whereas with a male the openings are further apart.  Sometimes if you turn the hamster over you can see the male's testicles.

Cedar, pine and cypresses aren't suitable for hamsters because they contain a volatile oil called thujone which can cause respiratory problems and skin conditions in hamsters.  Hamsters rely heavily on their sense of smell and therefore this is very sensitive to them and it is therefore vital that they are not given any beddings that have added oils or perfumes.  Aspen is considered relatively safe.  Only buy bedding that is advertised as being safe and if you use a new one and the hamster starts sneezing, snuffling etc. then change the bedding for a different one.

Hope this helps.
regards