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How do hamsters distinguish each other? 

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How do hamsters distinguish each other? 

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Viewed by most other animals as prey, small animals have highly developed sensory organs that enable them to sense and survive danger. For the most part, small animal senses are much more fine-tuned than those of a human and, in some cases, have evolved beyond our own five.

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How many different species of hamsters are in the world?

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How many different species of hamsters are in the world?

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Which of the 5 senses does “being nocturnal” correlate with? 

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Which of the 5 senses does “being nocturnal” correlate with? 

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Welcome to our guide to hamster eye sight. Answering that all important questions 'can hamsters see in the dark?'

If you own a hamster, you may get awakened at night when your little furry guy is running on his wheel. He's definitely nocturnal, because he's more active at night.

You have the sleep deprivation to prove it!

But what does that mean, in terms of your hamster's senses? What is a hamster's eyesight really like?

How does your hamster see the world? Let's take a look.

How Your Hamster's Eyes Work

Like all mammals, hamsters view the world through eyes made up of various parts.

When you look at something, light enters your eye. It first passes through the cornea, a transparent layer around the eye that allows both visible and ultraviolet light through.

Light then goes through the round opening called the pupil. The pupil regulates how much light enters the eye by shrinking in bright conditions and expanding in dark ones.

Then it passes through the lens, which filters some light and bends the light to allow focus.

After that, light goes through the gel-like vitreous body to become focused on the retina.

The retina is a surface at the back of the eyeball. It translates the light energy into electrical signals, which pass to the brain through the optic nerve.

The retina is made up of different cells, called rods and cones.

Rods and cones are photoreceptors. This means that they receive light, and then convert the light energy to signals that go to the brain. These signals then trigger biological processes, such as sleeping and waking patterns.

Rod cells are responsible for letting us see in low light conditions.

Cones let us see in bright light. We use them to see color and to make out shapes at different points in space. Cones have light-sensitive protein pigments, or photopigments, called opsins. These are sensitive to different wavelengths of light.

Most mammals have just blue and green opsins, and can therefore only see these two colors. Humans have red opsin as well.

Every animal has rods and cones, but may have them in different amounts. Animals that prefer to be active in the dark tend to have many rods, and not as many cones.

Hamsters fall into this category. Yes, they can see, but they see things differently than humans do.

The eyes of hamsters

In nocturnal animals, eyes are usually fairly large. The eyes have a big pupil and the surface of the retina is also large. This allows the eye to collect more ambient light.

Hamster eyes are mostly spherical. They come in a variety of colors ranging from bright and clear pink and dark red to brown and black. Color often depends on species.

Rodent eyes consist of the same parts as the human eye - including the iris, pupil, lens, retina, and the optic nerve.

There are some differences, however. For example, in humans the lens is flexible and can change shape. This does not happen in rodents. In hamsters, a proportionally larger lens allows in additional light.

Also, the pupil (the darker part in the center) is much more evident. The iris (the white part of a human eye) is smaller, and is not necessarily white.

That is why, unless you are looking closely at a hamster's eye, it may just appear as a round, uniform color.

What do hamsters see?

Hamsters are born with a very poorly developed visual system. At birth they are blind and considered photophobic. This means they experience physical sensitivity (such as discomfort) in the eyes as a result of exposure to light.

Their overall sight is not very good, especially during the day.

Hamsters have mostly rod cells and a very small number of cones. Because cones provide color capability and general visual acuity, their eyesight is blurry. Rods give them good capability for seeing in low light conditions, however.

Studies have shown that hamsters do use their vision to investigate their food and catch insects. They also give each other visual social signals, as when they are being aggressive. They respond to high levels of light by ceasing activity.

So vision is important as an adaptation, because hamsters utilize visual cues in multiple ways.

Hamsters have a panoramic field of vision, and it is a binocular visual field. This means that, like humans, the fields of view from both eyes overlap. This gives them good perception of depth.

Can hamsters see in the dark?

But do hamsters see in the dark? And more specifically can Syrian hamsters see in the dark?

Well, not exactly.

They can't see in complete darkness. As with humans, their eyes must receive some light to be able to make out objects.

In general, hamsters see best in dim light. They can make out objects with the most accuracy under low-light circumstances, as at dawn and dusk.

We don't yet have any research to suggest that Syrian hamsters differ from other breeds in this respect.

Because of their poor eyesight, hamsters tend to use their other senses more often. Hearing, taste, and smell can all help hamsters make sense of the world around them.

Oversized teeth and whiskers are two adaptations allow hamsters to use their senses in the absence of good vision.

Do hamsters see in color?

So do hamsters see in color? And if so, what colors can hamsters see?

It is difficult to know exactly what colors animals can see. Not only is this dependent on the number of cones the animal has, it also has to do with how the brain processes the information.

Studies on Syrian hamsters have shown their eyesight is basically monochromatic. This means they see all colors as one color.

However, in studies hamsters did respond to blue and green stimuli. As a result, scientists now believe that hamsters may be able to see those colors, although perhaps only faintly. This is because of a light-sensitive pigment in the retina called rhodopsin.

Rhodopsin multiples in the rod cells during dark periods by combining Vitamin A with protein. This pigment absorbs most visible color, converting the light into energy. However, it is not equally reactive to all colors; it is mostly responsive to green.

Many nocturnal animals cannot perceive red, and may see just a small amount of blue.

Research does suggest that hamsters actually see through photopigments other than rhodopsin.

This means they may be able to see ultraviolet light!

Can Hamsters See UV?

Syrian hamsters react to ultraviolet radiation as if it is visible to them. Scientists believe that they may have additional photopigments that allow them to be sensitive to UV light.

But why would seeing in UV light be a good thing for hamsters? It's hard to say. Hamsters would be able to see urine marks better under ultraviolet light...but so could predators.

It's also possible that different animal parts reflect different amounts of UV light. If that is true, then certain body poses would make hamsters less visible to predators that can also see by UV light.

UV light is much more broadly available during the day and twilight hours. Thus, having UV vision could help hamsters navigate at those times, when they are awake.

Hamster Vision

So, to sum up, hamsters have fairly poor eyesight. They can't see very well, but they make up for this lack with their other senses.

They see best in dim light conditions. This is an adaptation that probably allowed them to be most active at dawn and dusk.

Hamsters have decent depth perception, but their view of the world is mostly black and white with faded shades of green, and a bit of blue.

However, they do appear to see in the ultraviolet wavelengths. It is unclear whether this UV vision, and the limited color vision hamsters experience, has any real-world use today.

Take a look at your hamster's eye. Can you see the various parts discussed in this article? Does he startle easily when something gets close?

Do you think your hamster can see green or blue items? Let us know! We'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

Resources and Further Reading

Brainard, G. C. et al (2001), "Influence of near-ultraviolet radiation on reproductive and immunological development in juvenile male Siberian hamsters," The Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 224, 2535-2541.

Calderone, J.B., and Jacobs, G.H.(1999), "Cone receptor variations and their functional consequences in two species of hamster," Visual Neuroscience, 16(1), 53-63.

Clive Roots, Nocturnal Animals (2006), Greenwood Publishing Group.

Emerson, V. F. (1980), "Grating acuity of the golden hamster. The effects of stimulus orientation and luminance," Experimental Brain Research, VOl. 38(1), 43-52.

Finlay, B. & Berian, C. A. Barbara Finlay, "Visual and Somatosensory Processes" in Harold Siegel (ed.) (2012), The Hamster, Reproduction and Behavior, Springer Science & Business Media.

Hanson, A. (2006), "What do rats see?" Rat Behavior, .

Von Schantz, M., et al, (1997), "Photopigments and photoentrainment in the Syrian golden hamster," Brain Research, Vol. 770, 131-138.

"Exhibition Standards," (2016), National Hamster Council.

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Can Hamsters See In The Dark? - Squeaks and Nibbles

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Welcome to our guide to hamster eye sight. Answering that all important questions 'can hamsters see in the dark?' If you own a hamster, you may get awakened at night when your little furry guy is running on his wheel. He's definitely nocturnal, because he's more active at night.

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How hamsters become pets and where they come from 

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How hamsters become pets and where they come from 

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Cheeks puffed, growling, and ready to pick a fight with a barn cat: The black-bellied hamster is a far cry from the domesticated hamster you might have as a pet. It’s a good thing these black-bellied hamsters are defending themselves, because in France, where only 500 to 1,000 remain in the wild, th…

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Which 2 senses to hamsters rely on the most?

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Which 2 senses to hamsters rely on the most?

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You might have wondered how good hamsters' eyesight is and whether they can see and recognize their owner.

Do hamsters have good eyesight? Hamsters have very poor eyesight and can only see a couple of inches past their nose. They rely on their hearing and smell to be able to move around. In the wild, they live in very low-light conditions and aren't accustomed to bright light.

Hamsters use other sensors such as smell and hearing to help them understand their surroundings due to having very poor eyesight.

Get Your Own Hamster Owner's Handbook!

Do Hamsters Have Good Eyesight?

In the wild, hamsters live underground in burrows and dens where it is very dark.

They would only leave their burrows during dawn and dusk to venture out for food.

This is because a lot less more predators are about during these hours, making them less likely to be spotted.

The daytime is not very safe for hamsters, which is why they typically sleep and stay underground in their dens when it is bright outside.

As a result of spending so much time underground and during low-light conditions, hamsters have very poor eyesight.

Their eyes are not accustomed to bright light as they spend most of their time in the dark. They are able to see much better and more clearly in dim light.

Although your pet hamster has no predators or dangers inside his cage, he still retains his crepuscular patterns from his ancestors.

This is why your furry friend still decides to make a racket using his wheel late at night when you're trying to get some shut-eye!
Check: How to Achieve Healthy Hamster Teeth
You can alter your hamster's sleep cycle if you find he's never awake when you are.

If you want to change your hamster's sleep cycle, then you need to do it gradually and slowly. This could take a few weeks or even longer.

If you force your hamster to be up for a long time during the day, then it can be very detrimental to his health.

He will be stressed out and exhausted. It would be the equivalent of someone making you stay up all night! You'd understandably feel drained and extremely tired, and so would your hamster by keeping him awake when he should be resting.

To slowly alter your hamster's sleep cycle, you should gradually wake him up earlier to play with each day or every couple of days.

Only wake your hamster up 15 or 20 minutes earlier each day. If you normally wake your hamster at 8 pm to play with, then wake him up at 7:45 pm or 7:40 pm instead.

Slowly increase the time each day. Eventually, your hamster's sleep cycle will begin to shift so they are asleep during the night.

This is because your furry friend needs to catch up on the sleep he missed earlier in the day.

When you are waking up your hamster, it is crucial you don't startle him.
READ MORE: Do Hamsters Need Baths?
Instead, you could try talking to your hamster to see if he stirs awake or try gently tapping on his cage and rustling some of his bedding.

You could even place a treat in front of his nesting area to see if the smell lures him out.
Check: Do Hamsters Have a Good Memory?
Hamsters are not able to see well in complete darkness, but they certainly see best in low light.

Hamsters are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk. Dawn and dusk are the best times for hamsters to see.

They are able to move around in the dark as they can use their smell and hearing to find objects.

In captivity, hamsters can act more nocturnal. This is because most people who own hamsters keep their lights switched on until quite late at night, which means their hamsters lose a few hours of darkness.

Hamsters feel more secure and safe in low-light conditions, so they are more likely to venture out of their nesting area when the lights are off.

When encased in low light your hamster feels safe and knows that it's time to wake up. This is usually why when you're fast asleep in bed, your hamster is just getting started with the day.

It's recommended not to keep your hamster in the same room as where you sleep as they are most active at night and are likely to keep you awake as they move around their cage, use their exercise wheel or eat and drink. Some hamsters will even climb up their cage's bars.

The best location for your hamster is somewhere quiet, doesn't get too hot, and is out of reach of small children and other animals such as cats and dogs. Your dining room or spare bedroom would be a perfect spot.

You want to avoid places such as a shed or the loft. They need to be in a place where you can still easily get to and interact with them.

If you want to give your hamster more natural lighting, you could turn the lights off in the room your hamster is in a few hours before you go to bed.

If this is not possible, then turning off the main light and using a lamp could work. Lamps are not as bright and would help create a dim setting for your hamster.

Make sure you don't position any lamps or lights directly next to your hamster's cage, as the brightness could stress him out.
ALSO CHECK: Do Hamsters Drink Water?
Understanding how and what hamsters see is difficult. Studies conducted have implied that hamsters see monochromatically. Monochromatic eyesight is when every color is seen as a single color.

In contrast, a different study showed that hamsters are capable of seeing some shades of green and blue. A whopping 97% of a hamster's eyes are rod cells. This means their eyes have little light capability, which gives them either extremely slim or zero color vision.

Evidence shows that hamsters are sensitive to UV light. There is more UV light during the daytime, which means hamsters (especially in the wild) would rarely encounter it.

Humans need UV light from the sun to thrive, but hamsters do not benefit from any type of UV light. In reality, if you used a UV light near your hamster, it would likely confuse his sleep pattern and stress him out.

When a hamster sees sunlight, he thinks it's time for bed. Using any type of UV light would not be advantageous to your hamster.

However, hamsters are able to view urine marks more clearly under UV light, similar to predatory animals.
CHECK: Do Hamsters Like the Dark?
To survive in the wild with poor eyesight, hamsters rely heavily on scent and hearing.

Hamsters have fantastic hearing and can hear high frequencies that humans can't. This is how they communicate and 'talk' to other hamsters, as well as to detect predators.

Hamsters need extremely good hearing to be able to sense when a potential threat is nearby.

This is why your hamster often freezes in place or becomes motionless when they hear a strange sound.

If you've coughed or dropped something on the floor near your hamster, you might have seen him display this type of behavior.

He freezes because he is trying to determine whether you are a predator or a danger. Additionally, by staying incredibly still, the predator is less likely to spot him.

Hamsters are very sensitive to noise, so you should try to be as quiet as possible when you're around your hamster.

Don't yell, scream, or use your TV or computer on high volumes near your hamster. This will stress him out!

Sense of Smell

As well as being excellent hearers, hamsters also have a great sense of smell. They use smell to detect food, communicate with one another, and identify other hamsters' gender.

Hamsters communicate using pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals that are produced from an animal's body and released into the environment. This then triggers a response in animals of the same species.

Your hamster has scent glands on his hips. To mark his territory, he will rub against an object or section of land to claim ownership of it. This is similar to what a cat does when they bump against furniture or their owner's leg!

Hamsters also use their sense of smell to breed. A female hamster in heat will produce pheromones to attract nearby male hamsters, and she will also mark areas to let males know she is looking for a mate.

As your hamster has such a good sense of smell, it is important you wash your hands before handling him.

Your hamster will be able to detect the tiniest scent of food on your hands, which might make him think you are a snack and cause him to bite.

Additionally, your hamster's cage is full of his scent. This is why completely cleaning out your hamster's cage and leaving no trace of his scent can be extremely stressful for him.

Your hamster could think he is in a different environment altogether as nothing will smell like him.

When cleaning your hamster's cage out, you should leave a small amount of old bedding in there. This is so his habitat still retains some of his smell, making him less likely to stress out.

Hamsters are not able to see very well in the daytime. As their normal routine involves being active at dawn or dusk and inactive in the day, they have little need to be up and about during bright hours.

Hamsters are prey animals, which means they would be easy targets during the day. When it is dawn or dusk, there are a lot fewer dangers and predators around.

This means hunting for food and water is a lot less dangerous for hamsters during low-light conditions.

They are able to travel around their environment by relying on their other senses such as smell and hearing. As they can only see a couple of inches past their nose they have to rely on their other senses to get around.

When hamsters are first born, they are completely blind. They are not able to see until they are about 2 weeks old.

Adult hamsters have poor eyesight. On average, hamsters are only able to see a few inches past their nose. This means they cannot see long distances well.

As hamsters cannot see very far, they are at risk of falling and not knowing when there is a long drop. This is why you should always make sure there are no long drops your hamster could fall off when he is outside of his cage.

Cages with high platforms are not recommended for hamsters as they are not able to see when the platform ends. This could result in your hamster tumbling over the edge and injuring himself.

If you do plan on using a cage with high or multiple platforms, then it's a good idea to place something in between them to protect him if he falls.

A good example would be a hammock. You can find hammocks for small animals in most pet stores or online. Hammocks are normally used for rats and ferrets, but they are also great for hamsters.

You could attach a few soft hammocks between platforms to make them drop less dangerous if your hamster does lose its footing.

Instead of hitting the hard floor if he falls, your hamster will land on the hammock and won't hurt himself.

Alternatively, you could make sure you use a lot of soft bedding to cover the base of your hamster's cage. A good example would be bedding made of cellulose fiber or very soft paper.

Not only will your hamster enjoy digging and tunneling in the huge amount of bedding, but it will also help protect him if he drops from one of his platforms.

Do hamsters have good eyesight? Please share your opinion on this topic below!

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Hamsters Eyesight [Recognizing Their Owners, Colors & Blindness]

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You might have wondered how good hamsters' eyesight is and whether they can see and recognize their owner. Do hamsters have good eyesight? Hamsters have very poor eyesight and can only see a couple of inches past their nose. They rely on their hearing and smell to be able to move around.