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Watch your hamster
Scent rubbing
Being a solitary animal that is active in the dark of
the night, the hamster’s main form of communica-
tion is through scent—smells that we humans are
unable to detect, let alone interpret. However, they
clearly mean a lot to your hamster and you can
watch him leaving messages all over the place.
Syrian hamsters have scent glands on both flanks.
These can be wet or greasy looking, and show as
slightly darker patches. They are more obvious on
male hamsters than females.
You will see your hamster arch its back and rub
its flank on the walls of its cage and other vertical
surfaces. It also will roll on its side to leave scent on
the ground and on objects in its cage.
Happy hamster
Inquisitive
When your hamster is curious he will stand up on its
back legs, with his front paws relaxed and drooping.
It may have been a sound or a smell that caught his
attention, such as your arrival, and it will turn to face
the direction of your approach.
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Hamsters