Handling my Roborovski

Question
Hello, I've had my Roborovski for around 3-4 months. I have read online and in books that they are hard to handle and you cannot necessarily pick them up. I was wondering if you had any tips at all that would help? also if I put my hand near him he squeaks really loud, am I putting him through any pain doing this? thanks :) Nat

Answer
Roborovskis are, in my opinion, the most difficult to tame, maybe because they are so small and fast - but i also find they are the most timid.

I have a female Roborovski who i have had for quite a while but she is still not tame even though i have always handled her just as much as some of my tamest Roborovskis.  I guess some hamsters will never be completely tame no matter how hard you try!

When i am taming my new hamsters i always use a large tub / box, because once they get loose it is very hard to recapture them.  A bath also works very well, lol!  Always make sure you have washed your hands thoroughly before picking them up as the slightest smell could frighten them or even make them nibble you!  Perseverance is the best tool in taming a roborovski - the more you handle them the tamer they will become.

If they shoot into a tube or toy each time you try to handle them then just pick the item up and gently tip the hamster onto your hand - make sure to hold your hand over the large box mentioned above as the hamster is very likely to jump from any hight when they want to!

Kind Regards,

Tammy