First ever Syrian Hamster acting strangely...

[EverTheConundrum]

Hi

So we've got a rather large Syrian Hamster named Dougal (as he looks like Dougal from Magic Roundabout!)
Everything was fine (despite bar chewing) until today - 3 days after bringing him home - I got him out and despite him being quite fast and obviously trying to escape, he wasn't totally averse to being held. Let me make a treadmill with my hands! Then DD screamed. He jumped out of my hands (poor thing) onto carpet and buggered off!
Cue lots of panicking, upturned jugs and sofa - he's back! Got him back into cage thanks to Jug laid on its side.
Well, ever since it's been chaos in his cage. Pacing back & forth and the bar chewing has gone up several notches. Despite me having give him alllll kinds of chewing toys, plain wood planks, sticks, carrot toy, edible carrot chew, real carrot etc etc - still frantically chewing bars. He's only been back in cage about an hour but it's like he's possessed?

He's now fast asleep at the top of one of his ramps?! He normally sleeps in his little house 🧐

Wish I could upload videos onto here!

Anyone any ideas? He doesn't appear to be the friendliest of Hamsters by the looks of it. I know it's only been 3 nearly 4 days but so far - miserable git!

How big is your cage? And do you have a wheel or saucer for him?

It's the Pico XL and yes he has a wheel. He used it like crazy for the first two nights but hasn't touched it since returning to his cage tonight

If it's the cage I think it is, it might be too small. It's recommended that the minimum size for a Syrian is 80cm x50 cm. It's all about the floor space for them. I'd maybe give him a few more days before handing him again give him time to adjust to his surroundings and then start with giving him treats from your hand. The hamster UK FB page is good for help if you are on FB :)

He sounds bored, he needs a bigger cage (as above) and a wheel with at least an 8" diameter (to prevent having to over flex his back)

Hi - I think that a bigger cage with multi levels will help. He is prob a bit stressed after his escapade. Do you have one of those balls you can get for him to explore the floor?

The correct size of wheel is 30 cms for a hamster, if his back if archer it's to smakl, common mistake.
As said above the picolo is too small.
Join a few of the hamster groups on face book for good advice on housing and taming