Behaviour of my Syrian Hamster

Question
We have had a Syrian Hamster since July (about 2 months old when we bought him) and I am beginning to get concerned about his lack of activity. He prefers to nest in the sawdust/bedding material in the base of the cage (a large 3 story wire cage) but seems very reluctant to come out of his nest. He stays in his nest til 10pm at night and will then forage a little and return, popping out every now and again. He never uses his wheel and does not seem very lively - may be he waits til we are asleep but is ver quiet until we go to bed 11pm/midnight. He will come out if you open the door to see what is happening and is now happy to be picked up - whcih we try and do most nights and put in his ball or a 'digging box'. We had a female Syrian hamster, that unfortunately escaped in early July and she was so different - she woke up at 7pm and never stopped - the wheel was always on the go and was so so friendly - she'd practicly run out of the door every time you opened it (which I think is why we couldn't find her when she escaped!) Our new hamster seems so much quieter and less friendly! He has always been like this, nothing has really changed since we had him, except he is now easier to pick up.



Is the lack of activity a sign of ill health or unhappiness or is he just a different temperament?



Any thoughts/tips would be most helpful.



Many thanks



Janette

Answer
Hello Janette,
hamsters really do have different personalities. Some hamsters are so active and friendly that you truly wonder if they ever sleep. Others are so mean that you think they will never be normal. Others are so lazy that you wonder if they are sick. My hamster fits in the category of being extremely lazy. Only wakes up for food, water and when I open the cage to see what is going on.
Sorry to say this but you got one lazy hamster. :)