|
Post by randomname on Jan 3, 2017 9:19:16 GMT
After a bit of a rough start, & being told Sir Ian was the shyer of the two.... Went to feed them, they always come to say hi, always let me stroke them, they stand on my hands & nibble me. Never tried picking them up yet as they are still getting used to me. So, today Sir Patrick said hi, went off to eat. Sir Ian was more interested in getting out (so I thought) so I put my hands up to stop him. He ran up my arms, I thought he was looking for a way to escape, but he snuggled in my arms! He stayed there for around 5 minutes, proper cuddled in & happy. Then he ran back up my arms into the cage & started eating! He wasn't escaping, I didn't have treats - he just wanted a cuddle! I feel so honoured & am so happy that time I scared him hasn't messed things up for us.
If this was reddit I'd do the whole TL:DR thing.. TL:DR An "evil" chinchilla cuddled me for no reason. I cried I was so happy.
|
|
|
Post by natnat899 on Jan 3, 2017 10:19:35 GMT
That is wonderful, well done for being so patient! Hopefully now one is comfortable jumping on you, the other one will follow! Are they normally active at this time in the morning?
|
|
|
Post by randomname on Jan 3, 2017 11:10:15 GMT
Funny you ask that natnat899, no they're not. I was in there taking the xmas decorations down, must have disturbed them. They get fed (nuggets) around 8am, but it's usually a quick hello, a few bites & back to bed. When I was taking the decorations down they were begging for attention (or a treat) so I went over, noticed the forage bowl was empty & decided to fill it. They were both pushing in for a scratch, but Sir Patrick wanted the dandelion more than a cuddle it seems.
|
|
|
Post by natnat899 on Jan 3, 2017 11:30:01 GMT
They must have been curious as to what you were doing! If I sweep the floor near the cage my chinchillas usually get excited and come down to watch Haha, I'm sure one day Sir Patrick will choose a cuddle over food! I find mine like it when I curl my hand into a fist and place it in the cage (knuckles up) they will hop over and groom me/ snuggle So you have a forage bowl and also a nugget bowl?
|
|
|
Post by randomname on Jan 3, 2017 11:37:19 GMT
Mine do that too, who knew sweeping was so interesting?! yeah they came with a little clip on bowl, so I kept that. I put half the nuggets in there & half mixed in the forage. At first they didn't eat nuggets from anywhere but the bowl, but now they eat them from anywhere. I've been using an open palm hand without much progress so far, so I'll try the fist instead, great idea. Maybe they see it as a little nekkid chinchilla baby?
|
|
|
Post by natnat899 on Jan 3, 2017 13:00:23 GMT
I found peanut easy to bond with, pickle was the difficult one though. He is incredibly nervous, and seems to prefer the back of my hand - perhaps it is less threatening? When I was bonding with him I would place my hand flat down in the cage, or fiddle with something in the cage and they would come over to have a look. You can also get them into the habit of jumping on your hand via a treat and incorporate it into your daily routine; I found it helpful with pickle. There are some behavioural links on the forum under "links to further information" which really helped me understand pickle, it took ages until he was comfortable with me, it was 3 steps forward and 2 steps back for months. Even now he can be a bit funny, it just takes patience And yes, I think they might see it as another chinchilla! I have a video somewhere I might be able to upload
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jan 3, 2017 20:55:37 GMT
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jan 3, 2017 21:23:53 GMT
I'm thrilled for you too, I bet you have been walking on air since And it brings back such lovely memories of the first time my girls voluntarily came to sit on my arm. It's pure joy I hope it will turn into a regular thing for you.
|
|
|
Post by randomname on Jan 3, 2017 22:53:19 GMT
It's strange how it's Sir Ian, the more skittish & sensitive of the two. Also the one I scared accidentally into a huge rage that time. Would have put money on it being Sir Patrick who would be more friendly. Either way, I guess both of them know i'm not going to hurt them now, must be happy enough. It was Sir Patrick who shouted me over, but Sir Ian who wanted a cuddle. Now if I can only get the degu babies to relax as much, they're still super skittish when anyone goes in the room or opens the cage. Takes them 5 minutes to to peek out & check it's me. Then they start coming over to see if I've got treats. Well 2 of the do, the other always hangs back watching. Can't expect everyone to to want cuddles though I suppose.
|
|