Are Hamsters Nocturnal? Do Hamsters Sleep at Night?
When you bring a new pet hamster home, chances are you will only see it while going to bed. Being active at night is the natural behavior of hamsters. Though it might peak out a few times during the day, it will mostly remain active during the night.
This instigates the question, are hamsters nocturnal? Well, hamsters can be nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular. But most hamsters are nocturnal. And pet hamsters are typically nocturnal regardless of their species. This is because they don’t need to worry about predators that they had to in the wilderness. As they freely roam around at any time, pet hamsters will probably stick to the nocturnal behavior.
By the end of the article, you will learn about the nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular behavior of hamsters. You will also get to know why hamsters are mostly nocturnal and what they do at night. Let’s get started.
Short Summary About Hamsters’ Sleeping Behavior
Sleeping Time | 12-14 hours |
Sleeping Cycle | Polyphasic, means there will be multiple sleep-wake phases |
REM Phase | 25% of the sleep cycle |
Sleeping Behavior | Nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular |
Are Hamsters Nocturnal or Diurnal?
![](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Are-Hamsters-Nocturnal-or-Diurnal.webp)
Nocturnal refers to animals that are active during the night. They usually sleep in the daytime and start their activity after the sun has set. For example, rodents like mice, gerbils, and hamsters can be nocturnal.
If an animal is active in the daytime and gets back to its shelter at night, it is called a diurnal animal. For example, humans are diurnal as they sleep during the night and stay awake during the day.
Hamsters show varying behavior when it comes to the sleep cycle. In captivity, hamsters are nocturnal, which means they will sleep all day long and then come out at night. You might notice some intermittent eating or playing, but the hamster sleep cycle primarily happens at night.
But wild hamsters show more crepuscular behavior. The word originated from Latin and it means twilight. The animals active during the dawn or dusk are known as crepuscular animals. Wild hamsters are mostly active at dawn or dusk.
In some cases, hamsters can also be diurnal, especially if they need to forage for food. When food is scarce, these animals break the circadian rhythms and can come out of their shelters at any time. Rolf Gattermann and his colleagues from the Institute of Zoology at Martin-Luther University and the Department of Psychology at Cornell University discovered in a thorough study that female Golden hamsters are mostly diurnal.
Why Are Hamsters Nocturnal or Crepuscular?
![](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Why-Are-Hamsters-Nocturnal-or-Crepuscular.webp)
Hamsters show nocturnal or crepuscular behavior for several reasons. Here is a detailed explanation of these reasons.
It Is Related to Survival
When hamsters are in the wild, they are always in fear of predators. And most of their predators are either diurnal or nocturnal. For example, hawks are diurnal and owls are nocturnal. If hamsters come out of their shelters during the day or night, they could easily be preyed on by these animals.
During the dawn or dusk, the predatory animals usually don’t come out. So, it is the perfect time for wild hamsters to forage for food.
Their Eyes Are Sensitive to Light
Hamsters have large eyes and their retina has more rods than cones. Rods are responsible for functioning in low-light conditions. So, hamsters are more comfortable when the sunlight is low or zero.
This is why there prefer to be active at dawn, dusk, or night. This may incite a relevant question, can hamsters see in the dark? If it is completely dark outside, hamsters can’t see because they don’t have night vision capabilities.
But if the light is low, hamsters can see well. And their nose whiskers work as sensors to provide a lot of information about the surroundings.
Some species are exclusively nocturnal. For example, Syrian hamsters are nocturnal. So, you might only see them playing at night. But some species show mixed behavior depending on the habitat. If you have a Dwarf hamster as a pet, it can play or eat a few times during the day.
Hamsters Are Temperature Sensitive
Hamsters are native to deserts but they aren’t comfortable in extreme temperatures. As the heat during the day and cold during the night is extreme in deserts, hamsters find it more comfortable to come out during the dawn or dusk.
Do Hamsters Like the Dark?
![](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Do-Hamsters-Like-the-Dark.webp)
Hamsters certainly like the dark. Though they can’t see when it’s completely dark, it gives them a feeling of safety. Even if there is some dim light in the vicinity, hamsters won’t mind that. But if you put too much light around their cages, hamsters will definitely be scared because their eyes are sensitive to light.
What Do Hamsters Do at Night?
![](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/What-Do-Hamsters-Do-at-Night.webp)
They have a lot to do at night. For wild hamsters, the time after sunset is perfect for being active. They will go out of their shelters, forage for food, and have some play by digging burrows.
When it comes to pet hamsters, the routine is almost the same. Pet hamsters will also start exercising in their cages and eating the foods you have provided. So, you might hear munching sounds from their cages. Playwheels inside the cages also remain active during the night.
FAQs
Check answers to commonly asked questions about the nocturnal behavior of hamsters.
Are all species of hamsters nocturnal?
No. Hamsters have 24 species and not all of them are nocturnal. Syrian or Golden hamsters are the most common nocturnal species.
Are hamsters noisy at night?
The nocturnal species will be noisy at night. As they eat and play during the night, you will get noises almost all night long.
Can I keep my hamster in a dark room?
Yes, dark rooms are more suitable for hamsters. If the room is dark, hamsters will feel safe to come out of their hideouts and start their routine activity.
Conclusion
These cute little pets are almost invisible throughout the day because they typically sleep during the day in captivity. The night is the perfect time for them to become active. This is why most hamster owners ask, are hamsters nocturnal?
Hamsters can be nocturnal, diurnal, or crepuscular, depending on their habitat, food sources, and other factors. Pet hamsters are mostly nocturnal but wild hamsters are crepuscular to keep from predators. So, it is maintaining a dark environment at night is crucial for pet hamsters to keep their sleep cycle unaffected.