Winter Behaviour?

[aimsdavies]

Hiya!
I’ve noticed recently that as winter is upon us () that my hamster, Puff, is beginning to stay in her nest and possibly sleep more than usual.
Her routine does fluctuate, but she’s usually asleep by 7am and tends to wake between 9, though her waking up time does change often. As of now, she’s falling asleep at the same time, but she stays in her nest until 11pm-12am. I do leave food and fresh water for her, but I tend to want to wake her up just to be sure that she’s okay. There’s no sign of illness or injuries, though I can smell that she’s in heat currently.
Is this a sign that it’s colder and behaviors that are common during the winter months?
Thank you!
- Aimee

[cypher]

It's not unusual for them to stay in bed longer when winter comes, they respond to the shorter day length as well as the temperature so her change in behaviour may just be seasonal.

[Shadow Cat]

I’m having this trouble too. I set up my guy’s play pen last night to have a play but I was exhausted and went to sleep before he woke up. I hear him scrabbling about so I know he’s fine but I haven’t handled him for days and I’m worried he might become less tame if handled not as often and also I just miss him! I don’t want to wake him up and have him grumpy with me though!

How do such tiny creatures occupy so much of our waking thoughts?! Ha.

[WelshHammi]

My boris now sits in his nest with his head poking out looking at me as if to say I’m warm I’m happy leave me mum! So I let him get on with it he usually sleeps now til about 11pm so we have a quick cuddle and a warm in my dressing gown but he normally wants to be on his wheel and then back to bed! I think like everyone said nights are drawing in winter is on its way wish I was a hamster and could sleep all day and most of the night! I envy my Boris sometimes he rules my house!

[sirbinary]

Originally Posted by aimsdavies

she’s usually asleep by 7am and tends to wake between 9, though her waking up time does change often. As of now, she’s falling asleep at the same time, but she stays in her nest until 11pm-12am.

That's exactly my robo's sleep schedule, it's just he goes to sleep within 7am through 9am. I think it is winter behaviour as I notice it's sleep is slowly increasing. It only uses its wheel from 2am till his morning nap.

[Leon Kavanagh]

My hamster Nibbles usually wakes up at 11pm and goes to sleep about 7.30am when I get up for work lol

[Thin Lizzy]

This dreaded winter weather makes me want to stay in bed longer too lol!
Be sure to add extra bedding and substrate to his cage.