How Do Hamsters Behave?

Understanding hamster behavior can help you appreciate them even more.

You've seen hamsters at the pet store. Hamsters are small, furry and cute. If you've thought about owning one, or perhaps even if you have owned one, you might not understand hamster behavior. If you have an idea of how a hamster behaves and why, it can help you to enjoy their companionship even more. Having a knowledge of their actions before getting a hamster is a very good idea.

Nocturnal

Hamsters are nocturnal.

One of the first things you'll notice about hamsters is that they are nocturnal animals. That doesn't mean they sleep the entire day. It does mean that they will be up late at night making noise and doing all kinds of hamster activities. If that coincides with your schedule, you won't have to adjust. If it doesn't, you should put the hamster in a room away from where you sleep. Make sure it's quiet and dark during the day.

Chewing and Gnawing

Hamster chew and gnaw.

Hamsters only have two teeth. Those teeth continue to grow throughout a hamster's life. That is the main characteristic that makes them rodents. It also leads them to seek to constantly chew and gnaw. In fact, the term "rodere" is the derivation for rodent and means "to gnaw" in Latin. Gnawing helps to grind the teeth down. Hamsters who don't gnaw enough can have teeth grown around and into the skull. You need to provide plenty of material for chewing.

Curious

Hamsters need diversions to avoid boredom.

Hamsters are curious animals. Hamsters also get bored easily. You need to make sure there are plenty of toys and other things (the chew items also help keep the hamster entertained) to keep a hamster occupied. A bored hamster is more likely to try to escape. In addition, bored hamsters are more likely to become stressed and stress can cause health problems and a shortened lifespan.

Solitary

Hamsters should be housed alone.

Hamsters are solitary animals. The one exception to this is the dwarf hamster, but even they can be territorial. For other types of hamsters, housing more than one to a cage is a very bad idea. They will fight and possibly injure (or even kill) one another. While the female hamster is the most aggressive, males will also fight. They may seem cute and cuddly, but hamsters are fierce when they fight with one another.

Nesting and Hoarding

Hamsters like to nest. You should provide plenty of bedding for hamsters. They will use it to line a nest (preferably in a dark, enclosed area, like a box). Hamsters also hoard food. You might notice he uses his pouch (in the cheek) to carry food around, but he won't eat it from the pouch. Instead a hamster will bury the food around the cage. The biggest stash will probably be in the nest, but he will also hide food throughout the cage.

References

• My Hammie: Hamster Behavior
• PetCo: Natural Pet Behavior