What Do Hamsters See, Hear and Smell?

When it comes to seeing and hearing, how do hamsters differ from other rodents? Is it possible for them to see their owners and other pets?

This is a common question among hamster owners, who hope that the answer will allow them to provide the best possible care and safety for their pets.

When it comes to hamsters’ eyes, you may be surprised to learn just how poor their eyesight is in comparison to other animals.

Owners of hamsters must use caution due to the animal’s near-blindness. When producing noise in the vicinity of a hamster, keep in mind that their ears are extremely sensitive and fragile.

If you know how a hamster perceives the world, you’ll have a much easier time coping with its seemingly bizarre behavior.

We can better protect and care for our animal friends if we have a deeper understanding of them.

In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about your hamster’s eyes and ears.

Despite the fact that there are over two dozen different types of hamsters, this article will concentrate on the five most popular ones:

  1. Syrian hamster (aka the “teddy bear hamster”)
  2. Dwarf Campbell Russian hamster
  3. Dwarf winter white Russian hamster (aka the “Siberian hamster”)
  4. Roborovski dwarf hamster
  5. Chinese hamster (aka “the striped hamster”)

Hamster’s Vision

In the womb, hamsters are born blind. Adult hamsters can only see a few inches in front of their nose because of this ailment, and it doesn’t get any better with age.

Because they can’t see that far, they have no idea when they’re at risk of falling.

Even death can result from this type of accident. Pets might suffer significant harm or even death if you allow them to sit on your shoulder or hold them while you are standing.

While this may cause your hamster to move more slowly, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of their living a long and happy life with you.

Why Do Hamsters Have Such Weak Eyesight?

During the night, a hamster’s vision gradually increases in order to help them find food.

They are virtually completely unable to see in the daylight.

Because hamsters are nocturnal, burrowing creatures.

When these creatures are free to roam their natural habitats, they don’t need super-human vision.

Instead, they rely on their keen hearing, smell, and touch.

How Can I Keep My Hamster Safe?

Because hamsters are naturally blind, additional care must be taken to ensure their well-being.

  1. Hamsters are unable to tell when they’re about to fall, so multi-level cages are dangerous.
  2. A hamster should never be left unattended on an open surface, especially if that area is unsecured.
  3. Additionally, they should not be carried on the shoulders of their owners. Mistreatment could cause the hamster to become frightened, leap off, or even fall.
  4. These falls can cause internal bleeding, fractured bones, and even death if they are not treated quickly enough.
Also Read:  Why Does Hamster Hide?

Can Hamsters See in the Dark?/Do Hamsters have night vision?

Syrian hamsters, on the other hand, are capable of seeing in the dark.

I wouldn’t say that exactly.

In total darkness, they are blind. Objects can only be discerned in the presence of light, much like in the case of people.

When it comes to their ability to see, hamsters prefer dim light. Low-light conditions, like dawn and dusk, allow them to see the most clearly.

Syrian hamsters have not yet been proven to be distinct from other hamster breeds in this regard.

In order to compensate for their inability to see, hamsters tend to rely more on their other senses.

A hamster’s senses of hearing, taste, and smell can all help them make sense of the world.

In the absence of decent vision, hamsters’ enormous teeth and whiskers allow them to employ their senses.

Do Hamsters See in Color?

In other words, do hamsters have color vision? If this is the case, what shades of colors can hamsters discern?

Animals’ ability to perceive color remains a mystery.

According to research, the eyes of Syrian hamsters have been found to be essentially monochrome.

There is evidence that hamsters can detect blue and green light. Researchers now believe that hamsters may be able to sense these hues, albeit in a very dim manner.

A light-sensitive pigment called Rhodopsin is responsible for this.

In many cases, nocturnal creatures are unable to distinguish between red and blue.

However, it is possible to see through different photopigments other than rhodopsin, according to research.

Because of this, they were able to see ultraviolet light!

Can Hamsters See UV?

UV radiation is perceived as visible by Syrian hamsters. They may have extra photopigments that make them susceptible to UV light, according to researchers.

However, why would hamsters benefit from being able to see in UV light?

It’s difficult to tell. Under ultraviolet light, hamsters would be better able to detect pee stains… However, predators could be lurking around the corner.

Also, it’s likely that the UV light reflected by different areas of an animal is different. If that’s the case, then particular body positions would make hamsters less noticeable to predators who can see UV light.

During the day and evening, UV light is considerably more widely available. Hamsters, on the other hand, may benefit from having UV vision during the times when they are awake.

Hamster Hearing

Despite their limited eyesight, they have remarkable hearing abilities. As they use frequencies that we cannot hear, they can also communicate with one another.

In the event of a strange noise, hamsters would often freeze and then smell the air for more information.

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It is important to keep your hamster in a quiet section of the house, as a hamster is quite sensitive to noise.

Keep other pets away from your hamster if they are making loud noises. Your hamster will be extremely stressed by barking dogs in particular.

When it comes to your hamster, it’s important to teach your children not to squeal or make noises around it.

The ears of hamsters are sensitive and easily damaged. Make sure your pet’s ears aren’t damaged in fights with other hamsters and be gentle when handling them.

Do Hamsters Have Good Hearing?

While their eyesight may be bad, hamsters have excellent hearing. They use their hearing to survive and avoid predators in the wild. Additionally, hamsters rely on hearing for interspecies communication.

Hamsters are able to detect noises that humans cannot hear because of their heightened sense of hearing. As a result, hamsters in the wild are able to speak with one another in private.

The hamster is an intelligent and gregarious rodent. When you speak quietly, it will be eager to engage and listen to you.

You should, however, avoid yelling, shouting, or squealing when you are near a pet because it could scare it away.

The hamster will feel frightened because of the loud noise. When your hamster sees you as a potential threat, it may not want to interact with you.

Keep your dogs away from your hamster until he gets used to their scent. It’s because the hamster can become agitated when the dogs make a lot of noise.

Will A Hamster Die Because Of Loud Noises?

If your hamster is exposed to loud noises for an extended period of time, it is likely to die. In addition, loud noises will frighten your pet and cause it to jump out of its sleep.

Due to its dread, the hamster’s immune system will be weakened. If the hamster doesn’t get enough vitamins and nutrients, it will get sicker.

Loud noises can cause anxiety-related disorders like wet tails in some hamsters, which can lead to their death within three days.

It’ll be difficult to control certain hamsters if they act out and become increasingly aggressive.

For all of the above reasons, make sure to avoid making loud noises around the hamster.

Aside from that, keep the pet’s cage away from loud sound sources like the TV, Bluetooth speakers, or other stereos.

Is It Possible For A Hamster To Lose Its Hearing?

Exposure to loud noises can temporarily impair your hamster’s hearing, so keep this in mind.

According to a hamster study, your pet may become deaf if it is exposed to loud noise for an hour or more.

For about 10 minutes, hamsters will experience tinnitus if they are exposed to loud noises that exceed 100 dB.

In order to enjoy high-quality music, you should wear earbuds, headphones, or earphones while listening to hard metal or pop.

Do Hamsters Enjoy Listening To Music?

It all depends on the type and volume of music being played. To soothe and relax hamsters, you can play quiet and relaxing music for them to listen to.

Also Read:  Are Hamster Balls Safe?

When listening to music, be mindful of how loud it is. However, hamsters are not fans of loud music, such as metal, pop, or musicals with hefty sounds.

Your hamster will develop an aversion to loud noises, as previously discussed.

It’s important to remember that hamsters are not all the same.

As a result, it’s possible that certain hamsters aren’t attracted to music. Even a few hamsters get agitated by the low-volume music.

Why Does A Hamster Perk Its Ears?

Hamsters tend to keep their ears raised in a relaxed attitude. When your pet hears a strange noise, it will perk up its ears in an effort to locate the source.

The hamster will sometimes stand on its hind legs and listen intently for the sound.

Because of their laziness, the hamsters will have folded ears when they first emerge from their slumber. If your pet is afraid of something, you’ll notice that its ears will curl up.

Don’t get too close to the hamster during these times, as it could exacerbate their stress. It’s possible that the fold of the hamster is a sign of hostility, but this is rare.

As the hamster ages, the color of the fur on its ears naturally changes. You don’t have to be concerned about the hamster’s ear hair changing.

The ears of a hamster are delicate and velvety. They are prone to breaking and even tearing apart. Avoid playing with, stroking, or otherwise interacting with the animal’s ears.

Try to be as gentle as possible when cleaning the hamster’s ears.

How Should I Talk to My Hamster?

If you want your hamster to be a part of your family, you need to spend time with him. But it is important to keep your voice down.

If you can, whisper if you can, so as not to inflict harm on their delicate hearing or make them afraid.

As long as you don’t speak too close to their ears, a low, quiet voice is good.

Hamster Sense of Smell

Detecting pheromones in social circumstances and recognizing other hamsters are all things your hamster utilizes his sense of smell for.

Pheromones are the means by which hamsters communicate with one another (chemicals that are secreted from the body).

Scent glands on the hips of male and female Syrian hamsters are used to mark their territory. The fur around these glands might vary in color from time to time.

Make sure your hands are clean while handling your pet because of their sense of smell.

If your pet detects scents on your hands, he or she may become irritated or start nibbling at you.

Preventing the spread of sickness can be as simple as washing your hands before and after handling your hamster.

Your hamster’s home should not be littered with cats lying on top of it. Your hamster will be stressed out by the cat’s fragrance.

Be mindful of your pet’s lack of vision and the fact that his other senses have been boosted to compensate.

Conclusion

Now you know how hamsters see, hear, and smell things.

I hope this article was helpful to you and you are able to understand your little friend’s world better.