Do Hamsters Need Light At Night? Discover The Facts

You might have noticed that your hamster is more active at night than they are during the day. In fact, chances are the noise of your furry friend playing in the night has woken you up severally. Now, if that has happened to you, you might have even wondered whether they need light to make the most out of this time.

Do hamsters need light at night? Yes, hamsters need light at night to see, but not as much light as humans. Hamsters see best in faint light than in bright light, so just be careful on the type of light you leave in your hamster’s room.

So yes, hamsters prefer faint light to a bright one. They are nocturnal, so they become more energetic and motivated to conquer the “day” when night falls. However, that doesn’t mean their eyes can pick up some atmospheric light like those of owls, cats, or other night animals.

Why Hamsters Need Light At Night?

While hamsters see better in the dark than their human companions, they won’t see in pitch darkness. Hence, if your little furry friend has to have that great time during the night, then there has to be some dim light.

If you leave some form of light in your hamster’s cage at night, then it will help their eyesight so that they can see better. But this doesn’t mean that the room has to be brightly lit. Just use an energy-saving light bulb and not a bright one.

Do Hamsters Need Light During The Day?

Do Hamsters Need Light During The Day

Hamsters will only need natural light during the day. Hamsters sleep during the day, and they will do that without any issues even when their light is full of natural light.

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In their natural habitat, hamsters spend most of their time in burrows. They will stay in the burrows during the day, so natural light won’t be much of a bother to them.

When in a cage, you may notice your hamster burrowing and nestling into their bedding during the day, so natural light will neither be an issue to them. However, one thing you have to avoid is artificial light during the day.

Using artificial light can disrupt your hamster’s sleep cycles. Excessive exposure to too much artificial light will make your hamster get stressed. And as we all know, stress can cause a series of problems in hamsters, so it’s best you avoid it at all costs.

Do Hamsters Need Sunlight?

Yes, hamsters need sunlight. While the natural light can be beneficial to your hamster, it still comes with precautions. Always ensure that you keep your hamster away from direct sunlight.

It’s completely fine for your hamster to be in a room that’s full of natural light, only ensure that they don’t have to come into direct contact with the sun’s rays as it can cause a few health issues such as overheating and dehydration.

Should I Cover My Hamster’s Cage During The Day?

No, it’s better not to cover your hamster’s cage during the day. Keep in mind that they still need some light when it’s day. As much as they spend some part of the day sleeping, hamsters still need to see what’s going on.

Again, keep in mind that your hamster’s cage needs to be well ventilated. That will help them stay cool and fresh. It will also help keep their house from odors and bacteria. So yes, by covering their cage, you’re only doing more harm than good.

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How Much Light Do Hamsters Need?

How Much Light

The simplest answer to this question is just enough. You’ve basically got two choices in delivering light to your hamster’s cage: you can stick with the natural light or use artificial light.

If possible, stick to the natural light during the day. At night, some faint light from an artificial source will do. Just be sure to avoid using artificial light both during the day and night as it will only contribute to stress levels in your hamster.

How Do Hamsters Navigate Their Surroundings?

While they still need their eyes to navigate their surroundings, hamsters more often rely on their heightened sense of smell and that of hearing to find their way around.

These little furry friends still need the eyes, but they don’t rely on them as much as they do on the two senses. In fact, as little as your hamster may look, they have very powerful senses of smell and hearing, something they use to dodge their predators in the cruel wild.

Final Conclusion

Hamsters do not need a lot of light in their cages, but they do require some. As much as you must provide your hamster with enough light to see properly at night, it’s still best that you stick to dim lights.

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