Do Hamsters Play Dead?

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Because hamsters are so tiny, they need a defense plan, as fighting back is not a valid option with their predators. Running and hiding may not always be an option, depending on where they are or how their cages are set up. 

Hamsters play dead due to fear or anxiety, and will slow their heart rates, make their breathing shallow, and stop all movements. They hold this position until the threat has passed. Their false deaths are so accurately portrayed that they are often mistaken for actual deaths. 

This article will explain why hamsters play dead, including the theory behind the behavior. It will also discuss how long they play dead and the behavior’s effects on their health, so stick around!

Do Hamsters Play Dead When Scared?

Hamsters play dead when scared, as it’s a common response. If it can’t escape or hide, it feigns death, which is also a typical reaction when it’s stressed or anxious. It’s done when the animal feels threatened, such as when a predator is nearby.

It might surprise you to learn that hamsters play dead. The technical term for this behavior is thanatosis, which is described as a state where the animal lies as if dead while not responding to poking or prodding from predators. 

Anything from loud noises to the presence of a dog or cat in the room can cause a hamster to become scared enough to play dead. Often, they’re so good at it that they can fool their owners. They will remain in this position until they feel the threat has passed.

While feigning death, a hamster will stop all movements, slow its heart rate, and decrease its breathing rate. Its breaths become so shallow that’s not noticeable.

Why Hamsters Play Dead When Scared

The long-favored belief has been that predators aren’t scavengers and don’t consume dead prey. However, until recently, this theory has not been scientifically tested. 

A study published in 2018 in Current Biology demonstrates that predators who discover that dead prey is unpalatable will not attempt to consume it in a state of thanatosis. However, if they haven’t previously experimented with the consumption of dead prey, they won’t be fooled by an animal feigning death.

To avoid death, a hamster will present itself in a state of thanatosis. This behavior has carried over from living in the wild. Whenever a hamster was too far from its den, it needed a backup plan if and when a predator found it, and playing dead became the most viable option.

What a Hamster Looks Like When It Plays Dead

When a hamster plays dead, it stops what it’s doing mid-action and falls to the ground, landing on its side. Typically, it’ll put its legs in, and because it suddenly stopped all movement, it may have a shocked expression. Its tongue may also be sticking out, with its eyes wide open.

How To Tell If Your Hamster Is Alive

Because they’re so good at mimicking death, you may wonder if your hamster has died. There are several ways you can confirm if it has.

  • When a hamster passes, it typically goes where it feels the safest in the cage and curls into the fetal position. 
  • If it has died and time has passed, Rigor Mortis will set in, making it stiff. 
  • It won’t be breathing and will feel cold to the touch.

If none of the above is true, your hamster might just be playing dead. To make sure, give him a little while to recover from whatever caused him to feel scared and anxious. Then check on him with a favorite treat or toy to coax him out of hiding. Your hamster should come out of hiding at that point if it’s alive. 

Of course, if all else fails, place your first two fingers gently on his chest to check for a heartbeat and breathing. 

Is Playing Dead Bad for a Hamster?

When a hamster plays dead, it’s in a high state of fear, stress, or anxiety, which is very unhealthy for the animal. Consistently high anxiety levels can lead to other health problems and possibly death. Because of this, it’s not recommended to make playing dead a game, even though it’s possible.

How Long Do Hamsters Play Dead? 

How long a hamster plays dead depends on how threatened it feels, as it can stay in this state for a few minutes or hours. Ultimately, it will remain in thanatosis until whatever caused it to play dead is no longer a problem.

The more comfortable a hamster is with its owner, the less often it will play dead. Household noises will be less likely to scare it the longer it lives with you.

Do Dwarf Hamsters Play Dead?

Dwarf hamsters play dead whenever they’re scared, stressed, or anxious. They’ll remain like this until the threat they perceive is gone. Afterward, they’ll get up and resume their normal activities as if nothing ever happened.

Do Russian Dwarf Hamsters Play Dead?

Russian dwarf hamsters play dead under the right circumstances. They respond to threats by immediately falling to the floor and remaining immobile with shallow breathing and slowed heart rates until the danger has passed.

Do Syrian Hamsters Play Dead?

Syrian hamsters play dead even though they’re known for their hostility toward other hamsters. When they’re scared, it’s a natural response to preserve their lives, and they’ll stay prone until the perceived threat has left their vicinity. 

Why Is My Hamster Not Moving But Still Breathing?

Your hamster may not be moving but is still breathing when it’s sleeping deeply, in a state of torpor or hibernation, sick or injured, or old. Hamsters that are in hibernation and torpor have much slower breathing and heart rates, appearing almost as if they have died or are faking death. 

Most of these reasons can cause concern and require veterinary assistance, especially if you can’t get your hamster to respond.   

Your Hamster Is Sleeping

The most common reason a hamster would be unmoving but continue to breathe is that it’s asleep. Many owners forget that their hamsters will sleep the entirety of the day and expend all their energy through the night, otherwise known as being nocturnal.

If the hamster is still sleeping at night, gently try to wake it to ensure it is not sick or injured. 

Don’t make loud noises or bang on the cage, as this can startle and upset it. If you can’t wake your hamster, you must take it to the vet for a checkup.

Your Hamster Is In a State of Torpor

Torpor is a state of false hibernation, which is the prelude to true hibernation. During this state, metabolic processes slow, breathing becomes shallow, the heart rate slows dramatically, and it can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

The typical trigger for entering a torpor is the temperature dropping below 59℉ (15℃). While torpor is not a seriously bad state, total hibernation is. So, if your hamster goes into torpor and you don’t catch it, there is a chance it will begin hibernating. 

To prevent this from happening, slowly raise the temperature of its surroundings until its body temperature warms back up.

Your Hamster Is Hibernating

If you didn’t recognize torpor in time, your hamster could be hibernating, which is marked by only one or two breaths every two minutes, and the hamster will be cold to the touch. 

The reason hibernation is so dangerous is that domesticated hamsters don’t prepare for this state like those in the wild. They don’t eat food to store energy, so their bodies are not fit to withstand prolonged bouts of sleeping.

If you can’t wake your hamster by raising the temperature in the surroundings, you need to visit a veterinarian. They will raise its temperature and provide fluids to get it back to where it needs to be.

Your Hamster Is Sick or Injured

A sick or injured hamster won’t be very mobile and may lie in the safest spot and curl up. Labored breaths are a sign of breathing problems and pain. Not responding to its favorite treats is also an indication that it is not feeling well. 

These signs show you should take your hamster to the vet for a checkup.

Your Hamster Is Old

When a hamster gets older, it won’t have the same energy it did when you first got it, as it will lie around the cage more than it used to, possibly due to tiredness or joint pain. You can take your hamster to the veterinarian to inquire about joint supplements to aid its ability to maneuver around the cage better.

Conclusion

Hamsters play dead as a defense mechanism when scared, stressed, and anxious, and will immediately stop all activity and flop over if they have nowhere to run and hide. Their actions are so realistic many can fool their owners. 

The standard theory behind this behavior has long been that predators do not enjoy eating dead prey, but this doesn’t have solid scientific backing. 

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