Phantom hamster? I've solved the problem!

FelicityAnn · 05-06-2017, 06:55 PM

Have you got a 'phantom hamster'?

By that I mean do you hardly get to see your hammie because it's only active when it's completely dark. Syrians are especially prone to going back to bed if there is any light.

Well, I got fed up with this, so I did some research, both on here and on the internet in general, and the consensus was that hamsters don't see RED LIGHT. There are technical biological reasons for this, which you can search for if you're interested.

So today I went out and bought a red bulb. It was miraculous! I could see her, but she thought it was dark. She was out and about from about 8:30 this evening, did almost three hours' running in her wheel, stopping only for the odd snack, and she's still out 6 hours later.

About 3 hours ago I did a little experiment. I switched on the normal light, which is a warm light and relatively dim. She ran on for a couple of minutes, then went back into her cave. I switched that light off, and within 4 or 5 minutes she was back out again.

At the moment she's rooting about in the substrate, finding the feed I scattered. So, for the cost of under 5€ I've suddenly got a hamster I can watch!

Crystalroborovski · 05-06-2017, 08:17 PM

Wow, what a cool trick! Also, if you don't want to buy a red bulb, I think you can get red flashlights which are made specifically for watching animals. Not sure where you could get one though.

BorisPasha · 05-07-2017, 02:13 AM

Red lights are fantastic, glad you're able to watch/spy on her now

SKB_Hamsters · 05-07-2017, 05:42 AM

It's lovely that you can watch her now.
I also use red lights to spy on my Pumpkin at night to - they are fantastic to secretly watch them (although I need to get some new ones as mine stopped working the other day - and I have really missed not being able to watch her at night!)

Drago · 05-07-2017, 05:55 AM

I enjoy using red bulbs as well. In particular, I will turn one on while my hamster is running and take a slow motion video

Hamsterita · 05-07-2017, 09:15 AM

Red lights are a amazing to spying on hams! Unfortunately Blacky only comes out after 1 am in the morning, with or without red light! But I'm glad that you now can spy on Esme at reasonable hours.

BoredHamsters · 05-07-2017, 10:14 AM

Wow this seems cool, I might get one for my hamster when I get it so it can be more natural, and I can watch them.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 05-07-2017, 10:23 AM

Glad that the red light helped you to be able to see your hammie

FelicityAnn · 05-07-2017, 04:11 PM

I put the light on BEFORE it gets dark, so that she doesn't notice any sudden change. Seems to be working - she was out all evening again today.

Thin Lizzy · 05-07-2017, 07:36 PM

Phantom Hamster not anymore lol! So pleased you get to see your hammy with the red light.