Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet
They probably are
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? When it comes to nightlife, many species of animals have to do their daily activities during these darker times, maybe because of the climate and temperature, the presence of predators, or maybe because of better eyesight during these hours.
When it comes to hamsters, it is just a big if. There are some reasons that can help you to say hamsters are nocturnal but, in some cases, it is not as easy as just giving this general answer. It is hard to think that these little things that we keep as pets would like just have nightlife instead of “being normal animals” and doing all their activities during the day.
To get an answer to our hamsters’ nocturnal, we will see some of the conditions that make a hamster prefer this time of the day, and let’s find out if these little animals are actually better off when the darkness is in, the moon is in the sky and vampires are out, right?
Do hamsters see at night?
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? The hamsters are mainly crepuscular, which means they do most of their activities during dawn and dusk. However, when it comes to comparing what times the hamsters use, the hamsters prefer darkness.
So, if that is what they really like, you could probably infer that their eyesight would be amazing during the absence of light, right? Wrong! Hamsters do not see at night, and at other times.
At all times, the eyesight of a hamster really is nothing special. In fact, the eyesight of a hamster does not even include colors (yes, they are color blind, just like dogs). In a nutshell, hamsters do not see a thing at night, at day, every time… But that does not mean they can’t navigate at all.
Navigation at night looks like a risky endeavor for some animal species, but for hamsters is not that difficult with the features they have at their disposal. They prefer to minimize the risks of going outside during the day and instead go in between day and night, during dawn or dusk, to do their things.
Why hamsters are crepuscular?
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? There are some reasons to believe that hamsters are nocturnal, mostly because when the wild types of hamsters go to roam around deserts and other wild places in the search of food and other provisions.
The thing is, while mostly this can be accepted as a definitive answer, the hamsters are crepuscular actually. The reason why is because of their environment and what nature has told them.
During the day, a hamster roaming around a wild landscape would be in danger of predators, the inclement weather and temperatures and their vision could not help as much as they need. Predators like snakes, eagles, and more are mostly active during the day, making going outside for a hamster a big no-no.
Now, at night, those creatures are probably asleep. This could be a better time to go out than Colder temps, the sun is not as hard on what little they have of eyesight, fewer possibilities to encounter predators… It looks like a very promising time for hamsters to complete their missions, but it is not as easy as it seems.
There are some nocturnal predators too, like owls also searching for food. So, in order to get the best of both worlds so to speak, hamsters go out in between those times: During dusk and dawn. It is actually very clever, but not necessary when they are living with us, humans.
Because of this natural behavior, you would see your little pet going out of its hideout during the darker times of the day: Dawn, night, and dusk. During those times, it is a good idea to give them food and all that they need. You would see them storing it in their homes, just like they would do in the wild.
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? As we have explained before, hamsters navigate in the dark very well actually. The thing now to explain is how, because we also said that hamsters do not see very well, are color blind, and, by extension, can’t actually identify objects and other animals, especially in darkness.
Well, even though they can’t see, hamsters are still nocturnal and there are some other ways to make their way in the darkness while they are not able to see. Mostly of an amazing auditive system, the great sense of smell they have, their whiskers (just like the ones cats and dogs have), and how they leave a “trail” for making going back home a breeze, hamsters can actually pull this complicated endeavor without many issues.
When we talk about a “trail” you can actually see it in action when they drop their bodies into the ground and navigate this way until they find what they are looking for. When it is time to go back to their refuge, hamsters just have to follow that trail made with their scent and they go back where they started with ease.
It is quite ingenious to see how these little animals do this well when everything is in the dark and how they always find their way back home.
Conclusion
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? There you have it. Hamsters are nocturnal, but if you want to know what is the exact time, they go out of their hideouts is around twilight, during dusk and dawn, and extending during the night (especially for domesticated hamsters)
What is the reason they go out during the darker times? Well, it is because mother nature told them so. It is the best time to avoid predators, it is the one time with better temps and climate and the activity around them is very minimal, making it “easier” for them to roam around in search of food and other things.
When it comes to navigating in darkness, hamsters do not actually see that well. But they use all other senses to make their commute fairly easier and safer, rather than just depending on their eyesight. It is amazing to see and that is why they always roam around at night time so, making their food and water accessible during these times.
