Red light in hamster cages?

[Black_Inky_Eyes]

Hi,

I apologise if I am in the wrong place.
So I'm wanting to get a strip light for my IKEA Detolf, just to serve as something I can quickly flick on that isn't too bright so I can observe my hamster. (It won't be left on).

You see if I switch on my bedroom light they notice it right away and basically just wonder about until it's dark again and then he acts normally, running on his wheel and such.

I've been researching and heard different people say different things about red light and that hamsters can barely see it. Is this true? And if so, can someone recommend me a place to get one because I'm unsure if just Amazon is ok.

Thank you for any feedback!

[mangoandmimi]

They’d be ok if you just want to watch for a bit. I don’t think putting them right on the cage is a good idea though as I’ve heard hamsters have seemingly noticed a difference when they lights are on or off, so probably best to assume that they are aware of it. But a bit away from the cage would be fine I think.

Won’t matter where you get red lights from though. I used to have a relatively dim one which was good. Not like the bright fairy light or strip light type as they can be quite distracting, I personally wouldn’t be comfortable putting those near the cage.

[Black_Inky_Eyes]

Thank you!

I found a bulb that you can fit into my room light and so I can change it to red with a remote and also reduce the brightness. This information helped a lot.
I appreciate the feedback!

[cypher]

That sounds similar to what I have, a lamp that both dims & changes colour & the red light isn't too bright, some led lights, even red can be quite blinding & hamsters are definitely aware of the light they just don't see well in the red light, mine act as though it were dark with the red light on but always stop what they're doing for a moment when I switch it off & it goes dark so they notice the difference.

[Black_Inky_Eyes]

Thanks for the confirmation Cypher!