Observation station!

[velma]

I love hamsters, I love science & I love my geeky boyfriend. One of our hamsters a few years ago had a bike computer set up on his wheel to record speed & distance. What does all this mean for Hector? I'm fascinated by what hamster gets up to when I'm not there so the boyfriend is currently working on a device that will record movement in the cage & chart it so we can see how much & when Hector moves around. In the meantime, we've set up a motion capture webcam on the cage (we had a spare from our old bird table) which we can watch a live feed of on a computer in another room & it also takes 5 stills & emails them to you when the motion sensor is activated. Already found out he uses his dust bath when he's up & we're not there.

Also, inspired by ianpallen, I bought some red LEDs today & have stuck those behind his cage. I found some LEDs in Maplins which can be set to red & have a remote control. It's great being able to watch him when I'm in the room without him going back to bed because I put the light on. Will add more updates about his movement tracker as it gets built.

This is fairly rubbish photo but it gives you an idea of the light setup.

[velma]

An even worse photo but it shows the lights in the dark. I'm spoiling you with my photography today! I will try & get some better photos at some point soon.

[DrKMcK]

That's really amazing Velma! Nanny cam/Hammy cam. This is a good idea for those who are sure hammy is not going on its wheel or drinking. A M A Z I N G! :-D

[velma]

And last of all from today's efforts. One of the webcam pictures that the motion sensor captured. This time it was me that set it off! But it does work when Hector runs past.

[Flamestriker]

That is fab...The Secret Life of Hamsters revealed at last. You could make a documentory;)

[velma]

Thanks DrKMck. My boyfriend wanted to do a project using something called a raspberry pi - a sort of computer module thing that you programme in. I was quite keen as, until this evening, I hadn't seen Hector drink. I knew he must be but I wanted to check the height of his bottle for him & that he wasn't struggling as some ball bearings in the nozzle get a bit stuck. We need to get a few buts for the pi so have set the webcam up in the meantime. It's been fascinating so far. The bike computer will likely go back on again but will have to wait til we have a freestanding wheel that can be placed against the side if the cage.

[velma]

That is fab...The Secret Life of Hamsters revealed at last. You could make a documentory;)

Well, at the very least we'll have some very nerdy graphs!:D

[NiceCrocs]

That's amazing! I was actually considering getting a Raspberry Pi with a night vision module to record my hamsters (I talked to my sister about using one to monitor her hermit crabs... she thought I was nuts ._.), but as I'm broke and lazy, my method has instead been of the "consume extra caffeine the next day to make up for the fact that I stayed up all night watching my hamsters from across the room like a lunatic."

I would argue that your method has a little more grace and finesse :)

[velma]

That's amazing! I was actually considering getting a Raspberry Pi with a night vision module to record my hamsters (I talked to my sister about using one to monitor her hermit crabs... she thought I was nuts ._.), but as I'm broke and lazy, my method has instead been of the "consume extra caffeine the next day to make up for the fact that I stayed up all night watching my hamsters from across the room like a lunatic."

I would argue that your method has a little more grace and finesse :)

Thanks Nicecrocs. The pi camera I think my boyfriend is going to use has a motion sensor on it too so should capture photos when he's up. Hector, not my boyfriend. I think... But think of the graphs & charts! :mad:

The webcam has good night vision actually, I've just logged on to see what he's up to. When really I should be going to bed! I think I might be joining you in the caffeine consumption...

[becky1412]

That looks incredible! Sleep AND knowing what your hammies are getting up to! Well you could sleep ;)

[velma]

That looks incredible! Sleep AND knowing what your hammies are getting up to! Well you could sleep ;)

I have woken up to about 4million emails today of what he's been up to in the night. Busy boy! I need to see if I can move the webcam to get a better view of the cage but there isn't much room on the shelf.

[velma]

Hammy cam is working great!

[velma]

So we've getting some good shots off hammy cam & it's quite nice that we know when they were taken. Gives you quite a good idea of what he's up to at night.

[velma]

A motion sensor web cam that emails you 5 images when it's triggered, some time lapse software to stitch it all together & voila! A time lapse video of what Hector gets up to when he's awake.
Enjoy!
Hectorcam! - YouTube (http://youtu.be/k5YMn2ufRQo)

[DrKMcK]

LOLOLOLOL. I'm dizzy watching that video! :-D "My hamster isn't doing anything"...Uh huh. :-D That webcam is delightful!

[Skeever]

Now I'm suspicious of the little beasts. I don't like them ....doing stuff, when I don't know their doing stuff....or why their doing it..... :shock:

[velma]

LOLOLOLOL. I'm dizzy watching that video! :-D "My hamster isn't doing anything"...Uh huh. :-D That webcam is delightful!

Deceptive, isn't it? What you think they do & what they actually do!

[velma]

Now I'm suspicious of the little beasts. I don't like them ....doing stuff, when I don't know their doing stuff....or why their doing it..... :shock:

I think in Hector's case you're safe. So far his motivation seems to be accessing the upper level/ flat roof of his house without using the ramps that are right next to where he is doing chin ups & while he's up there gnawing his treats so hard he pushes them off.