![]() ![]() ![]() Have you moved their box elsewhere? Has it been noticeably cooler or less light in your home for some reason? If you don’t take action to change something, your hamster could move into a state of full torpor, followed by hibernation. Also, you may notice that your hamster has built a bigger nest in an effort to stay warm.Īsk yourself whether there have been any noticeable changes to your hamster’s living environment. While the stupor state continues, the hamster may wake up briefly to eat and drink, but if the cold conditions continue, they will tend to stay asleep for longer and longer. You may also notice that they start shaking and shivering. If your hamster’s activity levels seem to drop and they are sleeping more than 12 hours a day, this is when you should get concerned. If you observe your hamster enough, you should get used to their regular sleeping routine, so it will be much easier to tell if there are any deviations away from it. Usually, they will sleep during the daylight hours and will become more active at night. ![]() Hamsters tend to sleep between 6 and 8 hours a day and enjoy being cosily wrapped up. Now, it is important that we answer the question of how you can tell if your hamster has entered hibernation mode or whether they are simply trying to get a bit of sleep. Differences Between Hamster Hibernation and Sleeping It is much less likely if your pet is exposed to strong light for half of the day. It is much more likely that fatal hypothermia will set in if your hamster is put into this situation.Īnother reason why your hamster may enter hibernation is that they are kept in dark conditions. One of the main threats to hamsters exists when the temperature drops suddenly, leaving their body with no time to enter a state of torpor. On the other hand, Campbell Syrian or Russian hamster breeds are used to colder conditions and are less likely to hibernate. It is more common for them to hibernate than other breeds. Syrian hamsters emerged from a desert climate, and short periods of torpor were necessary for their survival. Some hamsters will never hibernate, whereas others will do so ineffectively, resulting in hypothermia. Rather than putting on weight like obligatory hibernators, hamsters may actually lose weight instead. It may even take as long as a couple of months before your hamster enters hibernation mode. If the cold continues for a day or a little longer, this could induce a state of torpor in your pet. Hamster environments should not move too far away from room temperatures, with a couple of degrees leeway either side. The most common reason why your hamster would hibernate is that they are too cold. So, you need to keep your pet hamster out of the conditions that could lead to hibernation. Hypothermia and dehydration are two common threats – and these can put their life in danger. However, the main danger comes from when this state goes on too long. ![]() Usually, these types of animals will go into a deep sleep state known as torpor, which usually only lasts for hours or days until conditions improve. This could mean extreme temperatures or a lack of food or water. They can hibernate at any time of the year when environmental conditions dictate that it is important. Hamsters can be described as ‘permissive hibernators’. They know the winter is coming and prepare themselves accordingly. Some creatures that go through what is known as ‘obligatory hibernation’ include bears and squirrels. Scientists have found that significant chemical change occur when an animal is in this state. Essentially, they are on standby mode, conserving their energy, while slowing their heart and breathing rate. In wild animals, this occurs during the winter months of the year when the temperatures drop and access to food is scarce. Hibernation is a state that animals use to survive. But you need to be aware that the state of hibernation could be life-threatening for hamsters, and therefore something that you need to prevent.īut before we go any further, let’s talk about exactly what we mean when we talk about hibernation. In fact, many owners think that their hamster has died when they have actually gone into hibernation. You may not have automatically associated hamsters with hibernation, and it is true that they do not hibernate in the way that most people think. When you have a pet, the best way of looking after their health is by understanding your animal and their habits. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |