Species: Roborovski

Gender: Male

Estimated Age: 6+ months

Likes: Doing everything in his wheel, pets on the head, peas, pine nuts, burrowing, toilet rolls

Dislikes: Sudden noises and movements, hands, being held by his armpits between your thumb and index finger

Fosterer’s Instagram: @peppersfosterhome

Rescued from a hoarding situation with minimal bedding, no sand, and no wheel, Angy Angus (or ‘Ang-goose’ as his foster mum likes to call him) found his calling as a self-proclaimed athlete. Whenever he is not hiding from people or tending to his daily needs, Angus is constantly running which is a joy to watch because he takes breaks by “pancaking” along the edge of his wheel. Being a Roborovski, he is naturally speedy and can be difficult to catch for daily checkups and taming.

As such, his fosterer recommends using a toilet roll or cup to transport him from his cage to someone else’s hands instead to minimise stress.

Named for his not-very-threatening frown when he first got picked up by his foster mum, Angy Angus does not trust humans very much but once he realises that you are of no threat to him, he will slowly calm down and let you pet him on his head which he thoroughly enjoys. Sometimes, he may also start grooming himself while sitting on your palm – a sign of security and comfort – or go exploring by climbing up your shirt to your shoulders. This cutie is as sweet as he is timid so his future family will have to be patient and slowly get him to come out of his shell.

Angus also has a bad habit of pooping, peeing, and eating in his wheel so a heads up to future adopters of this little nugget: make sure to clean his wheel out regularly!

Things to note when adopting Roborovskis:

1. Adopters should make sure to get a glass tank/acrylic cage that does not have bars as Roborovski hamsters are smaller and can squeeze through the gaps.

2. 1/3 of the cage should be covered with sand as Roborovski hamsters tend to become excessively ‘greasy’ when an appropriately sized sand area is not given.

3. A wheel that is minimally 21cm should still be provided even if they are smaller in size as compared to dwarf hamsters.

4. They are fast and may not be suitable for children. Some may also nip/bite.

5. Taming is not guaranteed, but possible with lots of patience, time and love!

Requirements

Cage: 90x50cm or bigger, no bars

Wheel: 21cm or larger

Bedding: Fatpouches’ Premium Paper Nest or other approved bedding

Food: FP Originals' Standard Hamster Seed Mix or other approved seed mixes

Sand: Witte Molen Chinchilla Sand or other approved sand

Enrichment: At least 10cm deep bedding, the rest will be per HSS requirements--