A very common question among many hamster owners is: Do Hamsters Hibernate? Many hamster owners find their pets in a dormant state, and believe their hamsters to be either hibernating or dead. However, the truth is, hamsters do not technically hibernate. Instead, they may enter a “torpid” state, in which their bodily functions become temporarily slowed down.
TYPE OF HAMSTER
Depending on which type of hamster you have, you will need to approach a hibernating hamster’s situation differently. For example, if you own a dwarf hamster, this type of hamster is typically not known to hibernate. By contrast, if you have a Syrian hamster, you need to rouse them out of hibernation immediately, since they may eventually die if left in this state. If you own a golden hamster, your hamster will become torpid at a temperature around 10 degrees Celsius.
CAUSES OF HIBERNATION
There are many things that may cause a hamster to enter a state of seeming “hibernation”. The most common cause is an extreme change in temperature, either to hot or cold. To cope with this change, a hamster may enter a torpid state. However, some hamsters may go into hibernation due to lack of water, stress or an existing health condition.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY HAMSTER IS HIBERNATING OR DEAD?
When a hamster is hibernating, it may be difficult to discern if they are still alive. Even if you pick up a hibernating hamster, they will usually not respond to your touch. However, a hibernating hamster will still need to breathe. To check if your hamster is still alive, hold them in the palm of your hand, and watch their whiskers for several seconds. In a hibernating hamster, the whiskers will twitch slightly.
ROUSING A HAMSTER FROM HIBERNATION
Though sometimes you may allow your hamster to come out of hibernation or a torpid state on their own, you may have to give them a bit of help. In order to help your hamster to come out of hibernation, be sure that they are in a warm interior room with no drafty windows or doors. If necessary, partially cover your hamster in order to preserve body heat. Place your hamster’s cage in an area that is warmer than the rest of the house. In addition to this, you may use a small medicine dropper filled with water or a sweet electrolyte solution to attempt to get your hibernating hamster to drink.
3 Responses to “Hamster Hibernation”
I live in a hot climate after seeing this i wonder if i should buy a hamster or not as hamster is so ‘strange’ the required temp is 15-25 degree c so if i want a hamster then i have to on the air con all day long but air con use lot of electicity then i ask you i need to buy a hamster or not
I have this golden hamster (argente, red eye). I thought it was dead last saturday at 9pm. i wasn’t moving at all. then 2 hours later, I checked on his condition.it was stiff and cold. so I planned to bury it on the next morning. However, yesterday morning, his body was not as stiff as the last time i touched it. He was so soft till now. but still i can see his nose and mouth area become dark blue like a corpse. Now i’m very confused whether i should bury it or not.(for additions, its tail isn’t wet and not stiff. it doesn’t smell as well.)
you should bring him to the vet.vet might be able to tell you!