Do Hamsters Hibernate
Many who have in the past or do now own a hamster have wondered do hamsters hibernate? The short answer to the question is no, hamsters do not partake in true hibernation. However, if you learn a bit about this little creature, it is easy to see why some may think they do hibernate.
Hibernation is when certain species become completely inactive. Their metabolism slows down, their breathing is much slower and their temperature drops. The purpose of hibernation is to conserve energy during the colder months of the year. There is typically less food available during these months so the hibernation is a method of allowing the animals to survive even though there is not enough food.
Some of the animals that hibernate include certain bats, squirrels, snakes and hedgehogs. Many would expect to see bears on this list, but even bears do not truly hibernate. Because their metabolic rate does not drop as significantly as in other animals, and because a bear can be easily awakened from this winter snoozing, many do not consider this to be actual hibernation.
So do hamsters hibernate? Actually, what they do is closer to what the bears do. If the temperature in the room where the hamster’s cage is kept becomes too cold, the animal may stop being very active. It may appear that the hamster is hibernating.
Some people even think that a hamster in this state, called torpor, is dead. That is how lifeless the hamster will appear. While this torpor state is similar to hibernating, it is not exactly the same. If your hamster appears dead, please try to rouse it from sleep before disposing of it!!
Some people try to shake the hamster in order to cause it to be more active. This is not a good idea. Instead, simply raise the temperature in the room. In a few days, the hamster should be acting normally again.
There is another reason that some people think that hamsters hibernate. That reason is because many types of hamsters are nocturnal. If you always check on your hamster during the day, it may seem that he is hibernating, but the truth is he is likely up and active at night while you are asleep.
That doesn’t mean that you should never be able to interact with your nocturnal hamster, it just means that there is a reason that he always seems to be snoozing when you check on him.
Not all hamsters are nocturnal, but most do respond in the above described way to very cold temperatures. You should make sure that there is not a draft blowing directly on the cage. If the room is too cold for whatever reason, you may want to consider adding a space heater to the room.
Of course, you do not want it to get too warm either. Shoot for a temperature somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees. This is the most comfortable range for your furry little friend.
So do hamsters hibernate? Technically, no, but it is easy to understand why some people think that they do.