Hamster society? Cages?

Question
Hi Heather, I have one hamster, male (?), small brown short-haired with pointy ears he sticks up in the air when you talk to him.  The reason I describe him is that I don't know what kind of hamster he is.  I guess I should find out, because I'm thinking of getting him a companion.  I've seen posts on this site that say certain kinds like to have company, and others absolutely cannot have a cagemate.  Charlie right now is in a fish aquarium with a netted lid.  He is CONSTANTLY trying to get out, and he SUCCEEDS!  Last time, it took us 3 weeks of setting a havahart trap to get him, he kept getting in, taking the food, setting the trap, and escaping!  Now we weight the lid down.  Last night, he climbed up his plastic water bottle, must have been mad that he couldn't push the lid, and chewed the ENTIRE top off from his water bottle (it's all still there, he didn't ingest any that we can see).  I guess I need to know if I should get him a mate.  Also, we think he would be happier in one of those habitrail thingys so I can fool him (I'm not sure he can be fooled, I think he's smarter than me) into thinking that he's actually getting around to different cages.  He spends ALL his time, practically, trying to get out.  By the way, I make him cream cheese tacos and it's his favorite treat.  I love this little Houdini and I want him to be happy!  Thanks, Linda

Answer
I assume you have a syrian hamster, since most owners get a large syrian to start off with. Dwarf hamsters resemble gerbils, they are very tiny, and can fit in the palm of your hand. Syrian hamsters are longer, and since you said he was brown, I don't believe dwarves come in brown, so my best guess is your have a normal syrian. Syrian hamsters are solitary animals in their adult life. They get very territorial, and fight any other hamster that comes into their cage. They are only together at the pet store because they are still fairly young, and I have seen many fight even  at the store. You can not get a companion for your hamster unfortunately.

All hamsters have the want to escape, all the ones I have owned have gotten out at least once due to my own negligence or chewing. I too have an aquarium, and mine got out the same way, water bottle. Do you use one of those metal holders? Take it out, get a rounded bottle with a loop at the top, and use a bent paper clip to secure it to the outside. Works every time when the water bottle is the escape route. Do you have a place for your hamster to hide, like an igloo? If not I would suggest one, it lets your hamster hide, and gives them a home to feel secure in, which might be the reason your hamster feels strongly about leaving.

As for the habitrail, there are ups and downs. Downs are they are hard to clean, hamsters  love to chew on them (which can lead to more escaping) and they tend to have poor ventilation depending on how many tubes you have attached. Ups are the hamster will love exploring, as long as you give him a place to stay in when he decided he wants to sleep or eat.

Good luck!