Species: Dwarf hybrid

Gender: Male

Estimated DOB: February 2024

Requirements

Cage: 90x50cm or bigger

Bedding: Bedding type as per HSS requirements; bedding depth of 10cm (compressed)

Enrichment: Low platforms, no hanging accessories, more soft bedding. Everything else as per HSS requirements

Likes: Running in his wheel then flinging himself off then jumping back in again, leaving food half-eaten, paper towel/toilet rolls, dipping his paws in his water bowl, millet sprays, red sorghum sprays, nibbling on fingers for fun

Dislikes: Corn, chicken, people sticking their fingers in his face and cage, cage cleaning days

Fosterer’s Instagram: @peppersfosterhome

Despite being found wandering alone along an empty staircase thirsty and hungry, Thomas the Tank Engine (or Tommy for short) never lets anything stop him from zooming all over the place at top speed. He is always busy doing something, be it redesigning his sleeping quarters, running in his wheel as quickly as he can then flinging himself off the wheel for funsies, or creating extra long tunnels under his bedding.

Tommy’s active nature is in part due to a neurological disorder that causes him to pace and stargaze — a behaviour characterised by hamsters uncontrollably looking upwards at the “stars” then falling backwards repeatedly. Thankfully, his condition is mild and only acts up when little Tommy is stressed or bored.

As such, potential adopters are recommended to only use low platforms and not use any hanging accessories for his cage as there is always a chance that he may climb and fall from higher areas and hurt himself in the process. He will require more soft bedding as well.

Tommy has other quirks too! He enjoys sleeping with his neck propped upwards and pancaking (laying flat on his belly) in his hideouts as he sleeps. Other times, you can see him dipping his right paw in his water bowl and then lapping water up from his fuzzy, wet paw — his patented way of keeping himself hydrated. Locating Tommy can be a challenge at times, almost like playing Where’s Waldo, due to his habit of needing to sleep in different places every single time.

When it is hot, you can sometimes catch Thomas dipping his front paws and chest into his water bowl if the bowl is wide enough for this fur ball (refer to last photo in the slideshow). What a funny guy!

Adding this rambunctious little guy to your family is bound to be fun because of all his quirky habits and behaviour.