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| Handling reminder (3) |
Hamsters handled frequently from a very
young age usually remain docile and rarely bite. Those with docile temperaments and a history
of not biting can simply be picked up by using one or both hands, and then held
in both hands or in one hand held against the body. (1)
Many hamsters develop untrustworthy
personalities and begin to bite because they have been handled roughly or
suddenly disturbed or awakened. (1)
Hamsters whose personalities are not well
known must always be approached cautiously.
A glove or small towel can be used to pick up these hamsters, or the
animals can be encouraged to crawl into a small container, which is
then removed from their enclosure. Unknown hamsters and those known to bite can
also be picked up and restrained by grasping a large amount of skin behind the
head. As much skin as possible should be
grasped between the thumb and index and middle fingers because their skin is so
very loose. In fact, hamsters can
literally turn nearly all the way around within their skins and bite a handler
if this caution is not heeded! (1)
There are several ways to pick up and
manipulate hamsters, but it is important not to surprise or startle them prior
to handling. As demonstrated in these
pictures, an effective method for firm
restraint is to place a hamster on a flat surface and cover it with the palm of the hand with the thumb near
the hamster's head. Grasp the loose skin over the back firmly and lift.
The hamster will be securely held with the
skin taut over the abdomen and chest. Its eyes may appear to bulge when the
skin of the head and neck is grasped firmly, but this technique is not painful
or harmful. (2)
An effective method for firm restraint is
to place the hamster on a flat surface and cover it with your palm with the
thumb near the hamster's head. Slowly close the hand allowing the loose skin to
bunch, as shown here. You will be grasping the skin, not the body of the
hamster.(13)
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| One-hand grasp and picking-up techniques (13) |
For short transfers, for example, from one
cage to another, a 500 ml plastic beaker or similarly sized container may be
used, as long as it does not have sharp edges and can be sanitized.(13)
The image below shows another form of
handling for a short transfer, the two-handed carry.(13)
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| Use of container and two-hand carry techniques (13) |
