Yes, a hamster IS a rodent, and has an IQ level of 5-7. But, it's instincts, even in captivity, are very intact, and can never be "tamed away." When any animal, even a rodent, is kept from doing what's natural to him, he will show signs of depression, failure to thrive, and will not be a very friendly pet because he is miserable.
A mistake I made about 2 years ago, after buying my first syrian hamster, was expecting him to be happy all of his life in a little crittertrail cage -no bigger than a 10 gallon aquarium- with nothing more than a wheel to curb his boredom. "Jiggy" had one thing on his mind... OUT!!! The bright colors of the cage did not do anything for him. The extra treats, and even his wheel, were good for awhile, but he soon became bored with those too- since his natural curiousity was being stifled by me- an uninformed hamster owner.
I used to say, "Jiggy sure loves that wheel!" But now, after 2 years and alot of research and experience.... I now understand that Jiggy didn't really love his wheel- he ran on it because that's all he COULD do! And now I know there was so much more I could have done for him!
Anyone can be a hamster owner. But to be a HUMANE one, you must face the fact that your hamster needs WAY more than a wheel to be truly happy. To the right is a list of needs that nature fulfilled for him in the wild. Clicking on each need will take you to a "home-made"solution that make your hamster forget he is in captivity! (Well, almost...)
