Species: Dwarf

Estimated age: < 5 months

Gender: Male

Likes: Food, Burrowing

Dislikes: Being grabbed without a treat

Fosterer’s Instagram: @sailing_contradictions

Shiraz is part of a large surrender to HSS, and has only gotten chonkier since his arrival at his fosterers’ home but not any less shy.

He is not picky with any food, be it sprays or seed mix, and will readily eat, gain weight, and snooze in his many burrows across the cage. A deep level of bedding is required for this boy to fully enjoy snoozing away, and due to his easily startled nature Shiraz would fit in well with a family without children. In order to pick him up, a treat offering is required (pine nuts work best) followed by many pets in your hand. Taming through regular hand feeding is also recommended to make him more friendly and less easily spooked.

Shiraz is potty trained, and will not pee anywhere other than in his designated sand baths of Wittemolen sand. However, he tends to stash his excess food in corners of his burrows so extra care to clean them out to ensure there are no pests or bacteria buildup is likely to be required. Will you be the one for this chonketh boy?

Requirements

Cage: Unbarred cage of at least 2,800 sq cm

Wheel: 21cm

Bedding: Paper-based like Oxbow or Fatpouches teabag bedding

Sand: Wittemolen / Versele Laga chinchilla sand

Food: Currently being fed Fatpouches Premium mix

Enrichment: Lots of bedding to burrow in as well as ceramic hideouts to sleep in, along sprays and forage for enrichment