It is very common to see hamsters stacked on one side of the cage, taking a long nap during the day. Many people often think that these small rodents are lazy. However, this is not the case, only that their lifestyle is different. Therefore, if you have a hamster and are getting tired of watching him sleep while you want to play with him, you may want to check out his routine to determine whether he is sleeping at the right time or not. That’s why in this post, we’ll answer the one crucial question you probably have asked yourself – are hamsters nocturnal?
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Species Of Hamsters And Their Characteristic Behavior
Believe it or not, there are more than 20 species of hamsters around the world. It is a small rodent that adapts to many sorts of weather conditions as well as diet, and habitat. Their size varies from 5 to 35 centimeters, and they are usually very light.
This small animal has become popular as a pet due to its docile behavior and low maintenance cost. The animal enjoys traveling long distances, so experts recommend taking them out for regular walks and exercise.
The great hamster wheels are one of the best methods to keep your pet in good health. These small rodents have a slightly shorter lifespan and barely exceed three years. Another reason why they are popular as pets are because they are social animals. This means they can coexist in small groups, including with other animals.
Do All Behave The Same?
Despite the significant size difference that may exist in this species of rodents, their behavior is generally the same. They are timid animals and tend to be easy prey for different kinds of predators. For this reason, they have developed acute eye and hearing skills that become more resourceful at night.
Hamsters are nocturnal animals, so you will often see them as inactive or not very active during the day. Therefore, it is at night when they go out to collect food, travel long distances and have more activity as opposed to during the day.
Hamsters have a developed sense of sight which allows them to take advantage of the little lighting conditions during the night. Besides, their sense of smell is also sensitive and will enable them to detect the seeds and fruits they like to eat. They have small nails on their front legs, with which they can dig small burrows or find food.
Why Are They More Active At Night?
As we have mentioned, these are animals whose defense mechanisms are not active enough. Being small animals, they are easy prey for different types of predators, so they hide in burrows.
Many of their predators do not have excellent night vision, so it’s the perfect time to look for food. Moving during the night allows them to hide from many other animals and socialize with their own species.
They are entirely adapted to the nightlife since their burrows do not have much light either. In this way, hamsters in their natural habitats barely see the light of day, but not so for those who are adopted as pets.
We should perhaps also mention that sunlight does not hurt them. However, they will always prefer to be in places where they can hide. You can build a burrow for your rodent, with any small object that gives shade, and where you can put some straw to be comfortable.
What Kind Of Predators Are They Afraid Of?
Hamsters are easy prey for several species of animals, especially the flyers. Owls, hawks and other species of predators can take advantage of their speed and capture them without difficulty.
While these small animals do not have too much meat, they can serve to quell the hunger of any of these creatures. Some species of snakes also take advantage of the weakness of these rodents to hunt them. They, therefore, go into the burrows where they can find their offspring and gobble them up in a single bite.
Finally, some species of mammals such as foxes can also hunt these furry little ones. Foxes will not miss the opportunity to swallow a small bite in times of hunger, though foxes prefer larger animals.
Places Where They Like To Sleep
Naturally, these rodents live in small burrows. The claws of their little hands help them to dig the earth to create comfortable spaces. That’s where they spend most of the time. They sleep during the day and also raise their families in these very burrows. It’s important to note that the young do not leave the burrow until they develop their vision and have greater mobility.
These burrows are “adorned” with small pieces of dried grass or other types of vegetation. Basically, this is meant to increase their comfort as well as enabling them to go out in the open as little as possible.
When they manage to store many seeds in their cheeks, they can spend days inside their burrows without leaving. Being vulnerable animals, they prefer not to go out of the security of their home unless it is necessary.
How Long Do Hamsters Live?
As we have mentioned, hamsters do not have a long lifespan. They are small animals, and therefore, their life is also proportionally short. In their natural habitat, it is difficult for these rodents to survive for more than two years. However, in captivity, there have been cases of animals that reach up to three years.
That is one of the negative points about having them as pets, because contrary to species like dogs or cats, they live very little. These animals reach sexual maturity just one month after they are born. Also, their gestation period varies between 20 and 30 days.
We are talking about animals with short but very productive lives. For most of their lives, they dig small fortresses to stay safe and scour the meadow for food and a mate.
Other Nocturnal Rodents
Hamsters are not the only nocturnal rodents by nature. There are many different species that, similarly, take advantage of the night to do all kinds of activities and hide from predators.
Animals such as gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rats, have characteristics similar to those of hamsters. The lifestyle of these animals is the same, as many of them also live in small burrows. They have big, round eyes that actually distinguish them from other animals.
Another point you should consider is that they are not animals that sleep for long periods. Under being preyed on by other animals, these are creatures that should be alert. And while they can sleep a total of several hours a day, they do so at intervals.
Conclusion
Hamsters are adorable animals that have won the love of millions of people all over the world. Having one as a pet means having a company that will always be by your side and with which you can play.
But you should keep in mind that during the day, you will have rather dull moments. Unless you play a part to help him adjust his routine, he will remain a nocturnal animal.
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