Haebi (Adopted)
Species: Hybrid Dwarf
Estimated Age: 6-8 months
Gender: Female
Likes: Mealworms, millet spray, sitting in front of her food dish, gossiping, head pats
Dislikes: Being picked up, touched on her butt, smell of other hamsters
Fosterer’s Instagram Account: @sproutmori
Haebi was abandoned with five other hamsters like her and carried along the scars to show for it, physically and mentally. She bears a ragged ear that looked just like multiple piercings, and was initially extremely skittish about physical contact. When she first came to her fosterer, she was afraid to even eat the unfamiliar-smelling food, and had no strength to move her wheel.
However, she grew confident over time and can often be found plonking herself in front of her food dish munching away during her preferred meal times. Having a platform to put her food dish on is a great idea if you’d like to witness Haebi’s mukbang sessions.
With her strength built up from her vigorous pigging out, she is now able to move her wheel with ease and will run on it for several hours late at night when the room is sufficiently dark. Her regained strength also allows her to loudly complain whenever she’s displeased with your presence, such as when you decide to move a treat she was marinating inside her sand pit.
Being able to regain her independence has made Haebi fiercely territorial of her space. She does not tolerate the smell of other hamsters in her home and will attack you if you disrespect her boundaries.
Due to her experiences, Haebi does not like being grabbed in her cage and it is recommended that you exercise patience to coax her onto your hand, scoop her gently or use a container to transport her. Her fosterer has found her to be docile and calm on hands once removed from her home, but a patient owner who is willing to put in the time to engage her daily is essential.
Requirements
Cage: Unbarred cage meeting HSS’ minimum, such as SAMLA bin or acrylic tank
Wheel: 21cm or bigger wheel, adjustable height recommended if you want to spot her sleeping under it
Bedding: Any type of bedding suitable for burrowing with minimum 18cm height in at least one area of the cage
Sand: Any unscented safe sand with some kind of shelter or cover in the sandpit
Enrichment: A comfortable dining area for her to take her meals in, tunnel starters and multiple hideouts. Water bottle along with water dish.