Do hamsters hibernate? Please Explain.?

Question

I have a dwarf hamster and its been cold lately and so i was wondering if they hibernate.. and my hamster when she sleeps shes breathes a little heavy. Please answer and explain.!

Answer 1

No, they don't hibernate but they are nocturnal so they sleep during the day and are awake during the night. If she sleeps during the night too, you might want to take her to the vet.

Answer 2

Hamster can and do hibernate if certain conditions prevail. Syrian hamsters will become sluggish at around 14c and enter hibernation at around 5c. The ability of the hamster to hibernate has been retained. But the factors responsible for inducing hibernation in captivity are still not fully understood. Generally in captivity there is no need for hamsters to hibernate.
Hamsters are not good hibernators, and should not be encouraged to do so.
In captivity food and warmth is plentiful.
Before entering hibernation, most species eat a large amount of food and store energy in fat deposits in order to survive the winter. This is something that hamsters do not do and therefore will die of starvation if allowed to continue in the state of hibernation.
To prevent a hamster from hibernating it is suggested to keep your hamsters warm, keep the temperature above 15°C, keep them well lit for at least 12 hours a day. Provide plenty of food and handle them regularly.



When exposed to cold, for long periods some hamsters will eventually go into hibernation. Hibernation allows animals to conserve energy during the winter months when food is in short supply. During hibernation, animals slow their metabolism to a very low level to allow them to use their energy reserves, stored as body's fat, at a much slower rate. Hibernation may last several days or weeks.
If they are left alone hamsters can hibernate for 2-3 days, without any adverse effect. But if the temperature is very low the hamster can remain in hibernation. This is when hamster will be at risk.

Torpor (sluggishness; a time when the heartbeat, temperature, and body activities slow down.) a state of regulated hypothermia in an endotherm. This is an animal capable of maintaining it's body temperature above the temperature of the external environment.
( warm blooded animals ) lasting maybe just a few hours. Torpor is often used to help the animals survive in a cold climate. Since it allows them to save the energy that would normally be used to maintain a high body temperature. This state usually lasts no more than a day.

Aestivation is another form of dormancy similar to hibernation. Except that it is used in the summer. To avoid the heat and the potentially harmful effects of the season. They may aestivate to conserve energy when their food and water supply is low.


Some hamsters will hibernate but eventually die of hypothermia, starvation, if not aroused.
If you have a hamster in this hibernating state, it will seem that all life is extinct in your hamster.
But close observation will reveal that the hamsters whiskers ( vibrissae ) are still twitching. Your hamster must be aroused by warming him slowly, or gentle handling and stroking.
After the arousal period it will be noted that hamster will be groggy, trembling, this will last only for a short time.

Answer 3

no they don't hibernate until there is such a drop of temperature... where do you live? if the temperature is very low it could be that they hibernate.

Hamsters usually always sleep during the day.

Answer 4

No, they take a bus down south for the winter, since most are afraid of flying

Answer 5

No they don't hibernate. I don't know how to explain it though...... I asked my biology teacher and he said they don't.

Answer 6

No, but they are nocturnal which is why it is normally sleeping when you see it