Spiny Mice...HELP!!

[mulder]

Well. Yesterday I cleaned the girls' tank. First I just took the top off and talked to them and had my hand in there just sitting, so they could get used to it being around. I have treats for them, i cut a few into tiny pieces so i had more to use without making them sick. I got a lot of bites, a looooooot. One per finger, three per hand were gooood bleeders lol. I slowly started lifting things out of the tank (i was going to clean it) while still giving them treats a good once a minute (really tiny pieces) since they're scurrying around trying to figure things out. They took a treat, ran away and put it somewhere, then came right back and bit me, then ran back to eat the treat. Like...!?!?!?!?!? lol. They hid in their wicker holey tube thing, so I lifted them and it, out of the tank and put them in the bathroom (super easy play-pen i use for the goo's too) with water and a box to hide in. I cleaned their cage, then got back to business. Oh, i had to have a few cigarette breaks inbetween, my fingers HURT (still). So I take my bowl of treat bits and sit in the bathroom (I wore heavy socks so they couldn't bite my toes, good forethought I noticed). Big momma was a little bit more easygoing, she gradually bit me less often. However, Stella just ran around, she became less interested in treats and me. Big momma didn't become friendlier, just more full i think lol. She put her front paws on my leg at one point, looking up on my lap, but she was NOT interested, she ran back in the box. I was really upset afterwards when i put them back in their tank. I really feel like I just terrorized them. Their chests were heaving, they were scurrying left and right like degus. I feel horrible. I feel abusive. I want them to have a good home with a good owner. Having all the bites just sent my adrenalin through the roof, and with my anxietey, i just almost fainted a few times, but i was sitting on the floor already so i held on. I sat in the bathroom with them for like, an hour. And I really just feel like some mean person, but I love them so much. I suppose if anyone in Ottawa would like to try to work with them, I'd be more than happy to give them. But I KNOW I'm a good owner, I refuse to give them away unless i'm positive they'll be spoiled. I'm protective!! Grrr i'm not saying what i'm trying to. Take 2.... I'm not in the market for giving them away. However, should an exceptionally suitable candidate arise, my girls deserve the best, wherever the best may be. That's better.

[Sasami]

Can you maybe use a container to get them out of the tank? And then once they're out let them climb on you and pet them and give them treats? That's what I did when I first got Isis since she was a bit nervous.

[mulder]

while they're on me they just run around for dear life and bite, i can scoop them out easily, they welcome it, but it's like they can';t decide

[mulder]

I got bit again this morning

[mulder]

Bit again. Ouch! How about this...Anyone live in Ottawa and want two timid spiny mice. I feel like i'm just scaring them. Plus all the bites make my anietey hit the roof. I get so worked up, I almost passed out the other day. *sigh*

[Sasami]

I've never heard of spiny mice being so aggressive...have you checked them out for medical problems or anything? That's just crazy...

I have a feeling if you rehomed them they would end up getting shuffled between homes because of their biting. I would probably take them if I wasn't so far away....

Maybe you could just let them do their own thing? I know it's hard to just give up but maybe it's better if you do .

I'm sorry, I just don't have any other ideas .

[mulder]

Yeah. I try and try, i've changed foods, noting changes. i do just let them do their on thing, i make sure they have everything they need. i just can't handle the biting every day. i let them be and they're great and cute and social, just not into skin. it's like every bite is on purpose and hardhard. every bite draws blood. *sigh* they're okay doing their own thing. i knoe they're safe here at least.