Granted Chaos Exotics

01/07/2025

I was recently asked why I do not use 775sq inches as the minimum I will adopt into, and it is because the science does not actually support it. I will not follow pseudoscience, anthropomorphized, and purposefully biased research, nor will I ever willfully suggest it as proof. Additionally, using research on one species not even from the same genus as another and using it as definitive proof for how the other species should be cared for is a MASSIVE disservice to the underrepresented species. A Roborovski's Hamster is not a Syrian Hamster, a Campbell's Dwarf Hamster is not a Chinese Hamster.

01/04/2025

To all my adopters, past and future, I am moving away from using freeze dried chicken, eggs, and liver with all of my rodents, and highly increasing my decontamination routine after feeding any dog raw or freeze dried raw foods at my job. For non-lab block protein supplement, i am now only recommending freeze dried insects, peas, and quality cat and dog kibble. Fish may still be safe, but it is not a risk I am willing to take regarding cross contamination at the freeze drying operations that also process affected species.

HPAI H5N1 virus isolated from infected cow milk is characterized in mice and ferrets, was inefficiently transmitted in ferrets, and bound to sialic acids expressed in human upper airways, showing features that may facilitate infection in mammals.

01/04/2025

now THIS is the temperament I want in my holdbacks

12/21/2024

Fun hamster fact! Some campbells and winter white dwarf hamsters will pull their breeder into the nest to meet their newborns/pinkies! My girls will leave me to watch them so they can go snack hunting while I babysit :)

12/17/2024

Roadtrip Announcement!
I'm making I trip to Atlanta at the beginning of January, so if you are along this route (willing to deviate a bit depending on interest!) I'll be able to deliver dwarf hamsters! There will be no syrians ready for this trip unfortunately, but syrians will still be able to hop on Mel's February run 🥰

This trip would run January 8th, I could run through Asheville on my way down on the 6th though!

12/08/2024

Clancy And Garfunkel, as well as their father (Carfax), owned by Jessica and bred by Granted Chaos Exotic!

12/05/2024

Some routes I can put critters on

12/01/2024

TORPOR / HIBERNATION

I'm working on a more cohesive article with references and more accurate numbers, but here is an outline to help with the increasing influx of issues that we are seeing now that the cold season is coming in the northern hemisphere.

First off, domestic hamsters (syrians, roborovskis, campbells', winter whites, and chinese hamsters) do not hibernate. They go into torpor. Torpor is an emergency response to cold temperatures that will cost their life if not reversed quickly.

SYMPTOMS / IDENTIFYING TORPOR

-the animal will be cold but soft. If stiff, the hamster passed long enough ago to have entered rigor mortus. If warm, the hamster is not experiencing torpor, but if unresponsive they are likely passing away, if a vet is a possibility I recommend seeking one.

-you may be able to feel a VERY slow heart beat, place 2 fingers on the chest and press LIGHTLY, wait 60 seconds to feel for any beating.

-you may be able to feel or see them breathe. You can place a finger right up to the nose with just enough room to breathe, and feel for a minute or so for breath. A spoon can be placed in the same position to look for condensation from breathing.

-they will sometimes look dehydrated (eyes often sunken shut as the body attempts to protect them from the temperature threat)

If no breathing or heart beat is noted, you can still attempt to warm them in case something was missed, up to the owner.

HOW TO REVERSE IT

-skin to skin contact is ideal. Placing the hamster near the core of your body (chest working best), and cupping a hand over them to hold in more heat. The animal should start to become responsive within 30 minutes or so. If no signs (twitching of limbs, whiskers, eyes beginning to open, ears moving, etc) within 30 minutes, check for signs of life.

-if you cannot perform skin to skin contact, a hot water bottle, heat pack, or hand warmer can be used. Make sure that the surface is no warmer than your own skin, as heating them up too quickly can be dangerous as well.

As torpor reverses and the hamster begins to wobble around, offer fatty foods (sunflower seeds, critical care, etc). Monitor that behavior and activity level returns to normal overnthe next few days.

PREVENTING TORPOR
-keep the hamster in a draft free room, ideally at 70 degrees or warmer

-offer deeper bedding, the more the better to allow them to thermoregulate on their own

-slightly increase fat content in diet to account for additional energy needs (not recommended if temperature is above 70°)

-offer a variety of nesting materials to encourage nesting (hays, soft chopped straw, paper towels/toilet paper sheets, even empty spray stems can be laid out as nesting material)

12/01/2024

There's a bunch of baby syrian hamster squeaks coming from a cage today.... can't wait to show y'all this litter in a few days 😍

11/29/2024

I don't post about them, because I don't care to adopt any out, but I do work with mice as well! I'm currently establishing two lines, one of blue banded and one siamese, and texel will pop up in both of these lines when I've gotten them established! I'm hoping to work on quality angora and texel coats :)
(removed color ID's vecause i mis ID'd a few, forgetting one of the major recessives in this pairing 😅) All will be standard shorthair! I'm excited to see what comes from the other two litters who were born the last two days!

11/05/2024

Breeder Article: Are Robo Hamsters Social? In the hamster community, it is often a very popular belief that *all* hamsters are “strictly sol...

11/05/2024

Insight on hairless hamsters:

While there is a group out there that believes raising hairless hamsters is unethical, I’d like to shed a little light on this topic.

Hairless hamsters have no harder time regulating body temperature than furred hamsters, all hamsters are susceptible to cold and should be kept away from cold drafts. Their health and longevity is no worse than furred hamsters. Their care needs are not any different than that of furred hamsters. In fact, our last hairless to pass of OLD AGE was 2 years and 11 months old. How is it that we can say we want to better the health and longevity of hamsters without doing so in all genes? Every species of animal out there has had to be worked with to better the species. Hamsters are no different. The divide on communities is very large and many pet owners have been caught in crossfire, this is unfair to them. People are belittled every single day and torn down for simply talking to, adopting from, or mentioning a good experience with breeders who are also belittled, slandered, and had their conversations taken and talked about for fun. The science and research behind many is pushed aside for personal opinion. Opinion does NOT equal fact. Many cross that fine line and believe their way is the only way, which again, is opinion. Enjoy your pets, love them a little more, and know there isn’t only one righteous group that is the end all be all of pet keeping.

11/04/2024

Hi ham fam! I am unable to access the PMs on this account for some reason! Until I can figure out why they aren't working, please PM my personal account Simon Maze

A few syrian pairings are taking place soon, one who will be paired on her next heat, the other which needs a few more weeks of rest and relaxation after the litter she had with her prior breeder!

The robos seem firm on not giving any litters till spring, but there are a couple litters of campbell's who just weaned! I prefer to hold them back longer to judge type and monitor for health before I pick my hold-backs, but I will be reaching out to homes who are already approved to adopt before posting who's left!

Anyways, say hello to the youngest syrian hamster in my program, Freddy Fazbear from Winterbell Hamstery

10/10/2024

I'll have 3 generation pedigreed campbells, and 1-2 generation campbells 'hybrid' pups available for this route

This Thanksgiving, we’re headed west! 🦃

📍 West & South
🗓️ November 17-24

Mel's Neighborhood Rodents will be delivering to the following states shown on the map. Fill out a form or contact us on our website to inquire!

⚠️ We would like to keep this trip as concise as possible. For this reason, stop requests MUST be along the dotted line, or reasonably nearby.
🌐 Please view our site and our transportation group for important adoption, surrender, & transportation information!
🏠 Proof of a SUITABLE enclosure for your future furry friend is required in order to submit an adoption form.

View our available rescues, as well as those from our rescue partners, on our site: https://www.melsneighborhood.com/adoption/rescues

10/07/2024

If anyone who's evacuating towards GA due to incoming cat5 Hurricane Milton and need a place to babysit their small animals ( rodents, reptiles, snakes, inverts ), i have some space and time.

Must provide the enclosure for the critters and have an idea of when you'll pick them back up.

Sadly, I don't have enough space for humans or cats/dogs, but for everything else, i can tetris with enclosures.

⚠️ this apply for people affected by Helene/power outages too.

WE ARE LOCATED IN PERRY, GA.
[ Near warnerrobins/macon ]

09/10/2024

Welcome Steelcrest's Fergelicious (Fergie!)
Fergie is a hetED black (also sometimes called misty black) short haired syrian. Unfortunately due to a heart issue in my founding doe, her daughter who was held back for breeding is being retired to my full time pet, so we needed to bring in a new female to start back up with this fall. Fergie will need another couple months to grow into her breeding window, at which point she will be paired with my now elderly male, Winterbell's Cream Cheese (Golden LH Rex). From there she and a daughter will be paired to my other male, Sweet Sunset's Atticus (black dom spot LH). I'm hoping that we will have syrians back in the next by february 💕