Hamsters are fascinating creatures to look at. They usually take part in quite a lot of bodily actions of their setting, like working on a wheel, digging of their bedding, and stuffing their cheek pouches with meals. Have you ever ever noticed your hamster taking a nap, although? Properly, Syrian hamsters spend 50-65% of their time sleeping however this will likely range between species as some are much less lively than others. Generally, hamsters can sleep 12-15 hours of sleep per day.
How Lengthy Do Hamsters Sleep?
Hamsters might sleep for round 12-15 hours per day, however this sleep isn’t performed in a full block of time like people do. People and hamsters each have pure “sleep cycles” of sunshine and deep sleep; whereas a human sleep cycle might final for 90 minutes, a hamster sleep cycle lasts for 10-12 minutes. Pet hamsters are nocturnal though this will likely not all the time be the case for wild hamsters that are normally crepuscular. Whereas most of their sleeping is completed throughout the day, they do turn out to be much less lively and sleep later into the evening. It’s not unusual for folks to really feel like their hamster sleeps an excessive amount of, however this is actually because they’re usually sleeping throughout our most lively hours of the day.
Hamster Sleep Habits vs. Different Animals
| Animal | Obligatory Quantity of Sleep |
| Hamster | 12- 15 hours |
| Grownup Human | 7+hours |
| Human Baby | 8–13 hours (relying on age) |
| Canine | 10–14 hours |
| Cat | 12–18 hours |
| Guinea Pig | 9–11 hours |
Since hamsters favor to be most lively at nightfall, that is the best time so that you can deal with them. By disturbing your hamster throughout the daytime, chances are you’ll be interrupting a few of their obligatory sleep hours.
Ought to I Be Involved if My Hamster Sleeps a Lot?
Whereas sleep is completely important to staying wholesome, there may be such a factor as sleeping an excessive amount of. In case your hamster appears to be sleeping on a regular basis, even in periods after they’re sometimes lively, then there might be a medical or environmental drawback inflicting them to sleep. If stored in temperatures which can be too cool, sometimes beneath 65°F, hamsters might start to enter a hibernation state, which might make them look like in a deep sleep and even useless. Completely different species hibernate in several methods, so be sure to study what’s regular to your hamster. Hamsters in captivity don’t must hibernate, so be sure to all the time maintain your hamster in an setting that retains them heat sufficient.
In fact, underlying medical circumstances may cause extreme sleepiness and lethargy, so there might be a critical medical situation, like most cancers or diabetes, inflicting your hamster to really feel below the climate.
Be sure that to offer your hamster with an setting that helps getting sufficient sleep. In case your hamster’s sleep is all the time getting interrupted by folks and different pets, then they could turn out to be sleep disadvantaged. Present some quiet resting locations, and bear in mind it’s finest to deal with your hamster early within the evening as that is their most lively time.
In Conclusion
Whereas some hamsters require round 12-15 hours of sleep per day, some species are extra lively than others. Their sleep is normally gained via a number of brief naps all through the day and evening. As nocturnal pets, hamsters are most lively at nightfall, however you might even see them up and shuffling round throughout the daytime and nighttime hours additionally. In case your hamster appears to be sleeping an excessive amount of, it’s crucial that you simply get them seen by a vet who’s skilled with hamsters to rule out medical issues.
Featured Picture Credit score: Alex Milan, Shutterstock
