Any hamster owner knows that these tiny furballs like to sleep — a lot! They spend around 12 to 14 hours snoozing, their tiny bodies curled up and their tiny toes hidden from view. That much time spent on sleeping is interesting enough, but where hamsters sleep can be quite fascinating too.
Hamsters typically sleep in a corner in their cage because this spot gives them a feeling of security. In the wild, hamsters hide away in tree cavities, gaps between tree roots, or small burrows during bedtime because these places allow them to hide from large predators.
Your hamster may not be a wild animal, but a hamster’s wild instincts do stick despite being safe in a pet owner’s home. It’s in their nature to look for spaces where they feel hidden from view or away from danger because only in these places can they relax enough to sleep. Let’s learn more about hamsters’ sleeping habits in the rest of this article.
Hamsters’ Favorite Places To Sleep
If you want to understand where your pocket-sized friend likes to sleep, all you need to do is remember how they behave in the wild. Because hamsters are very tiny, they’re more vulnerable to predators. To protect themselves, hamsters prefer to stay hidden in dark, tight spaces like tunnels.
This behavior persists even in hamsters in captivity. Tight spaces make them feel safe, allowing them to have that much-needed shut-eye to replenish their energy for the next day’s fun-packed agenda — mainly consisting of playing, eating, and exploring their surroundings.
Let’s look at pet hamsters’ favorite places to sleep:
In a Corner of the Cage
Hamsters are usually kept inside a cage. This is the best place for your hamster because it gives them a safe place to play as well as protection from accidents, like falling from high places or getting in the way of other larger pets, such as cats and dogs.
Inside the cage, a hamster will almost always sleep in a corner, sometimes even hidden underneath self-made bedding made from wood shavings, bits of paper, and even food. If there are no large toys in the cage to hide in, the corner of a cage will feel like the safest spot to catch some zzzs, especially if the cage is placed in the corner of the room.
However, if your hamster does not normally like to sleep in the corner of its cage and is suddenly displaying this behavior, it may be a sign that your hamster is stressed or fearful. This may be true if there has been a change in its environment, such as if the cage has been recently moved to a different room or if there’s a new pet or person in the home.
Your hamster will eventually get used to its new environment, which means it will go back to sleeping where it normally does and will not exhibit other fearful behaviors, such as loud shrieking, biting the cage, or being aggressive.
Inside Play Tunnels or Tubes
Another favorite sleeping spot for hamsters is the play tunnel or tube. If you have these installed in your hamster’s cage, chances are you’ll see them spend much of their time inside these structures, whether during play or at bedtime.
The tight spaces of play tunnels mimic the tunnels and burrows that hamsters in the wild spend their time in, making them a natural choice for these tiny pets when looking for a safe spot to spend the night (or, rather, morning) in.
Underneath the Running Wheel
If you don’t see your hamster sleeping in a corner in its cage or inside tubes or tunnels, you may find it snoozing underneath its running wheel. This spot provides just enough coverage for a hamster looking for a cozy spot.
You may find your pet curled up underneath this toy or covered in bedding materials for that added protection from the outside world.
A Quiet Spot
Hamsters are easily bothered by loud noises and sudden movements. So if you put its cage in a room where people often come in and out, you may find your hamster sleeping curled up in its cage in a spot farthest from external stimuli, like passing animals and people.
Tight Spaces in the Home
Has your hamster escaped from its cage? Try looking in those tight spaces in your home, such as underneath large kitchen appliances or a wardrobe. These are cozy hiding spots for these tiny creatures because the small spaces make them feel safe and protected.
If you suspect that your pet is sleeping in any of these areas, you can lure them out by placing a piece of food or treat outside, then waiting for them to smell the yummy treat and run towards it.
Conclusion
Sleep is essential for a happy hamster. They need enough sleep to have enough energy for play and other activities during their waking hours, and it’s crucial to keep them healthy. So make sure to give your little pet a good rest every day by keeping its cage as cozy as possible.