Why Don't Hamsters Have Good Eyesight?

Hamsters are burrowing animals who live underground. They spend the daytime hours sleeping and run and forge for food during the night. This means that they rely more on their senses of smell and hearing than eyesight. At birth, the hamster is completely blind and in adulthood can only see a few inches past his nose.

The poor eyesight of the hamster has a lot to do with his nocturnal nature. Like most nocturnal animals, the hamster relies on other senses to navigate his way through life. The hamster does have a wide angle of vision and sees better in dim light. In bright light, the hamster is almost completely blind. Hamsters also rely on their whiskers to explore the world around them.

Understanding your hamster's poor eyesight is essential for keeping him safe. Never house your hamster in a multi-level cage, as he has no idea how far up he is. This can result in broken limbs, internal organ damage or even death should your hamster fall. Never allow you hamster to perch on your shoulder or hold him while standing either. The hamster may leap from his position and hurt himself. If a hamster escapes, he may also get into danger because of his poor eyesight, such as stumbling across a mouse trap hidden under the refrigerator.

Hamsters are known for their biting behavior, but their poor eyesight is usually to blame. Because of their poor eyesight, sudden movements can frighten them, resulting in a bite. The hamster may also bite because he can't see who or what you are. The behavior is purely defensive and shouldn't be taken personally. When handling a hamster, always be gentle and make slow movements. It will take a couple weeks of scent introduction and regular handling until your hamster is hand-trained and less apt to bite.