Hamsters being eaten - Paw Talk

Runt · #1 10-17-2002, 11:12 PM

I am really scared nothing like this has happened before.I went to feed tonight and noticed blood on the floor.I keep some of my dwarfs in plastic containers.I got to checking and 3 bins are empty and 1 tank that had no lid all hamsters 21 total are gone
I found a few smears of blood going back toward the door.Am really worried cause all my pets are in this room.Any suggestions as to what would of gotten that many

***Dena*** · #2 10-17-2002, 11:17 PM

No remains except blood? First thing that would come to my mind would be a rat only due to size but I think it might be something else. My only advice would be to check for any large or even semi large holes in the floor boards, loose vents. This sounds like some type of animal coming in from the outside. Please let us know what you find!

dragonmaster · #3 10-17-2002, 11:25 PM

awful as it sounds...could it be aneighborhood cat that somehow got through an open door or window?

capnsweets · #4 10-17-2002, 11:30 PM

Runt, you poor girl! Your babies! I'd have everyone take turns keeping an eye on the room. Do you see any animal tracks that don't belong to you?

Runt · #5 10-17-2002, 11:33 PM

Dena just several drops of blood on the floor by the bottom bin and a little drip on the inside.Then I found a few smudges that looked like it had been dragged a bout an inch in a couple of spots.I didn't figure a rat would eat or take that many.They found a rat by the trash bins outside.I have only founs a small mouse hole that was recently made all others are covered.Barry said he heard a noise in the hot water heater and it would of had to come thru the bathroom.There is a space there big enough for a rat I guess to get in.
Dragonmaster I have several cats outside my home that I take care of but no way they could get in the house.I can't even pet them.

dragonmaster · #6 10-17-2002, 11:38 PM

ok, well that's good. it was just a thought.

hmm...another out there possibility. any chance that maybe one or two were taken and then one or two followed? maybe trying to get the other back? i'm not really good with hamster psycology, but with the social types it seems viable that they would try to defend each other.

Runt · #7 10-17-2002, 11:40 PM

Capn no tracks just a few smears of blood in the middle of the floor.I have lids on everything right now.Really afraid to go to sleep.The only trap I have is a mouse trap or a big live trap.I have searched th e room thoroughly and found nothing.One or 2 I can understand but not 21 missing and every container was in the same place it was the night before.If it had been a cat it would of had to push the bins out to get into it to get them

dragonmaster · #8 10-17-2002, 11:44 PM

man, this is awful. i'm so sorry. and nothing i can think of at this point even makes sense. my latest thought was maybe a snake. but then i realized that a snake wouldn't be able to open the cage. *sigh* i really hope you find some other clues soon.

Becki · #9 10-17-2002, 11:46 PM

Could it be a ferret or weasle? They can get through very small spots and I've heard some horror stories about them getting smaller animals. They're also supposed to be very inquisitive and get into anything. I don't think a rat would get the hamsters.

Runt · #10 10-17-2002, 11:47 PM

Quote:


	any chance that maybe one or two were taken and then one or two followed? maybe trying to get the other back?

The tank and plastic containers are straight and no way for t he others to climb out.I had 6 hamsters in 2 of the bins 7 in another and then a father and young son in a 10 gallon tank.I am really baffled as the bins are on a metal shelf with not much headway above them.

Becki · #11 10-17-2002, 11:48 PM

Just another thought, maybe you could put the other hamsters in another room and set the live trap with some raw meat to catch it.

Runt · #12 10-17-2002, 11:56 PM

Becki as far as I know we have no weasels or ferrets around here.I have all my pets in one room and no where else to put thatmany.The only thing I could do was put lids over the tops of everything.I am going out to get the live trap and set it in there to see if I can catch whatever it is

Becki · #13 10-18-2002, 12:05 AM

Ahh, I understand, I wouldn't be able to move all of my animals anywhere else either. Be sure to put something heavy on top of the cages, and maybe bait the trap too, as terrible as it is that thing is coming for food. Good luck, and be careful if you do catch it!

Runt · #14 10-18-2002, 12:15 AM

Thanks everyone
I have everyone secure enough I hope.I got the live trap set right by the shelves where they were taken from.Cassie my chin is a little nervous so I pulled her cage away from the shelf.I hope I catch whatever it is tonight.My DIL said she would keep a close eye out tomorrow for me.I really feel awful for the hamsters.I know they were scared to death too.It really makes me sick to my stomache for this to happen.

Crittercall · #15 10-18-2002, 12:22 AM

I'm so very sorry about this. I can't offer you anything but sympathy - except to maybe put the chin in the bathroom or somewhere like that for a few days until it calms down. (Bathrooms and laundry rooms are great places sometimes!).

I know that there is nothing I can do or say that will make you feel any better, but know that I am thinking of you. And I know that you'll be awake at the slightest noise in your house tonight.

This is really bad.

Critter