How to Make a Hamster Maze Out of Books

Hamsters are highly intelligent animals that love running through tunnels.

Hamsters are natural burrowers who love running through tunnels, secluded areas and mazes. A hamster maze is a great way to provide your hamster with exercise, socialization and mental stimulation, all of which will make your hamster healthier and happier. A hamster maze doesn't have to be expensive or complex -- you can build a temporary one yourself using hardcover books. Heavy hardcover books with a sturdy spine are best. The length, width and thickness of the books are unimportant, but books that will not stay in place could injure or even kill a hamster.

Things You'll Need

• Hardcover books
• Tape

Instructions

1. Tape the books shut using packing or masking tape. To do this, affix tape at the front cover, wrap over the exposed pages and affix tape again at the back cover.

2. Balance the books on their spines or by flipping them over to the side that has been taped. Some books will be sturdier balancing on their spines while others will be sturdier balancing on the taped pages. Test the books for stability by flicking them. This motion imitates hamster movement. Avoid using any books that sway or tip over.

3. Line up rows of books to create a maze. The maze should be at least two hamster lengths wide and can be as long or as short as you want it to be. It will take at least two books to create each tunnel because the maze has to be enclosed on both sides.

Tips & Warnings

• If one book is too long or too short to fit neatly into the maze line, you can incorporate this into your maze by using the oddly shaped book as an additional passageway.

• Only use books as a hamster maze when your hamster is supervised. Hamsters may chew through books or otherwise disrupt their stability, resulting in serious injuries.

References

• "Hamsters For Dummies"; Sarah Montague; 2007
• "Hamsters"; Peter Fritzsche; 2008