It’s easy to dismiss the intelligence of small rodents. After all, how can such a little body have such big thoughts? Well, this species is one of great capabilities, small but mighty. Hamster owners won’t be surprised to discover just how brilliant hamsters are. You know that a lot is going on, a brain full of problem-solving and survival skills. But just how smart are hamsters? Let’s ask science.
The Hamster Brain A hamster’s brain is a small organ—about the size of your pinky nail. Even though their brains are significantly smaller than ours, don’t let that fool you. While it might surprise you, the general brain makeup shares many characteristics with human brains. Rodents have a very similar function, which is why many are elected and experimented on for human-based products. So, what exactly does that mean about intelligence? That means that your hamster is one smart cookie. Image Credit: Johannes Menge, Shutterstock The 6 Fun Facts About Hamster Intelligence
Hamsters can learn their name. Hamsters are remarkably smart—they can learn cues and especially their name! If you repeat it enough, they will even come to you when you call. They might also pick up on other signals associated with things they enjoy, like toys and food. Because they are inclined to listen to verbal cues, talking to your hamster is important. They will learn with you as you go. We even hear they make pretty good therapists, always lending a listening ear to human companions.
Hamsters can run backward. Hamsters are so darn talented that they can even run backward. So, If you spot them on their exercise wheel, you’ll notice that they can change directions.
Hamsters and fastidious and hygienic. If you have paid much attention to your hamster, you will know they are attentive to detail. They are also incredibly hygienic creatures. They pay attention to everything around them and love to keep their space clean. That is why it is so important to ensure that they have a proper living space that is regularly shifted and organized.
Smell is a hamster’s strongest sense. Because hamsters are excellent foragers that work on their own, they must have an impeccable sense of smell. This serves them well in the wild, providing the base of their survival. So don’t be surprised when your hamster can sniff out anything. Try hiding treats and goodies around the room and let your hamster go on a scavenger hunt. You’ll be surprised how quickly they can uncover yummy hamster-approved items. Image Credit: Sukpaiboonwat, Shutterstock
Hamsters have a wide mood range. You may have already realized that your hamster has a colorful set of moods. Sometimes, they are grumpy and prefer not to be touched. Other times, they are chipper, little rays of sunshine beaming to see you. Other times they want to go full force on an exercise wheel or in a ball to get a little pent-up energy. So, from lazy days to busy nights, your hamster definitely shows personality and is unafraid to show preferences.
Hamsters are real Houdini’s. If you own a hamster, you likely already had to put reinforcements up to ensure they stay in their cage. These little whippersnappers are incredibly good at weaseling out of even the tightest squeezes. When you purchase your hamster cage, that’s why it’s essential to get one that prevents them from wheezing through bars, and when they’re out of the cage, you must always keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t slip away, as they are tough to find.
What Is the IQ of a Hamster? The exact IQ of a hamster is unknown. There need to be more studies conducted to give an accurate measurement of hamsters’ intelligence. However, hamsters have been involved in several experiments to test their problem-solving skills. Hamsters aren’t the most intelligent rodents. Mice, rats, and a few others trump them. Their social interactions are also quite different. Hamsters are very solitary creatures that prefer to be on their own unless they are mating or raising babies. Other rodents have very intricate social structures and rely heavily on one another for survival. Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock Can You Train Your Hamster? Most hamster owners will not be surprised to know that you can absolutely train your hamster. The intricacy involved in training will depend on you. Some hamsters will also be more motivated than others to learn things, so it is based on an individual level and the combination of your partnership. Since hamsters are food motivated, you can often get their attention by using their favorite treats. Many videos on YouTube and other social media platforms show you how other people are training their hamsters, so you can follow suit. After all, wouldn’t it be fun to show folks who come over everything your hamster can do?
Conclusion While hamsters don’t have an exact IQ measurable by science quite yet, we know that they are very intelligent creatures. They might not be on par with, say, a rat. But they can certainly surprise you with how much they can learn. So, if you’re interested, you can see how other hamster owners taught their tiny rodents to do all sorts of fun tricks and follow commands. Sources
Petco
Featured Image Credit: Szymon Kaczmarczyk, Shutterstock
It’s easy to dismiss the intelligence of small rodents. After all, how can such a little body have such big thoughts? Well, this species is one of great capabilities, small but mighty.
Hamster owners won’t be surprised to discover just how brilliant hamsters are. You know that a lot is going on, a brain full of problem-solving and survival skills. But just how smart are hamsters? Let’s ask science.
The Hamster Brain
A hamster’s brain is a small organ—about the size of your pinky nail. Even though their brains are significantly smaller than ours, don’t let that fool you.
While it might surprise you, the general brain makeup shares many characteristics with human brains. Rodents have a very similar function, which is why many are elected and experimented on for human-based products.
So, what exactly does that mean about intelligence? That means that your hamster is one smart cookie.
The 6 Fun Facts About Hamster Intelligence
1. Hamsters can learn their name.
Hamsters are remarkably smart—they can learn cues and especially their name! If you repeat it enough, they will even come to you when you call. They might also pick up on other signals associated with things they enjoy, like toys and food.
Because they are inclined to listen to verbal cues, talking to your hamster is important. They will learn with you as you go. We even hear they make pretty good therapists, always lending a listening ear to human companions.
2. Hamsters can run backward.
Hamsters are so darn talented that they can even run backward. So, If you spot them on their exercise wheel, you’ll notice that they can change directions.
3. Hamsters and fastidious and hygienic.
If you have paid much attention to your hamster, you will know they are attentive to detail. They are also incredibly hygienic creatures. They pay attention to everything around them and love to keep their space clean.
That is why it is so important to ensure that they have a proper living space that is regularly shifted and organized.
4. Smell is a hamster’s strongest sense.
Because hamsters are excellent foragers that work on their own, they must have an impeccable sense of smell. This serves them well in the wild, providing the base of their survival. So don’t be surprised when your hamster can sniff out anything.
Try hiding treats and goodies around the room and let your hamster go on a scavenger hunt. You’ll be surprised how quickly they can uncover yummy hamster-approved items.
5. Hamsters have a wide mood range.
You may have already realized that your hamster has a colorful set of moods. Sometimes, they are grumpy and prefer not to be touched. Other times, they are chipper, little rays of sunshine beaming to see you. Other times they want to go full force on an exercise wheel or in a ball to get a little pent-up energy.
So, from lazy days to busy nights, your hamster definitely shows personality and is unafraid to show preferences.
6. Hamsters are real Houdini’s.
If you own a hamster, you likely already had to put reinforcements up to ensure they stay in their cage. These little whippersnappers are incredibly good at weaseling out of even the tightest squeezes.
When you purchase your hamster cage, that’s why it’s essential to get one that prevents them from wheezing through bars, and when they’re out of the cage, you must always keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t slip away, as they are tough to find.
What Is the IQ of a Hamster?
The exact IQ of a hamster is unknown. There need to be more studies conducted to give an accurate measurement of hamsters’ intelligence. However, hamsters have been involved in several experiments to test their problem-solving skills.
Hamsters aren’t the most intelligent rodents. Mice, rats, and a few others trump them. Their social interactions are also quite different. Hamsters are very solitary creatures that prefer to be on their own unless they are mating or raising babies.
Other rodents have very intricate social structures and rely heavily on one another for survival.
Can You Train Your Hamster?
Most hamster owners will not be surprised to know that you can absolutely train your hamster. The intricacy involved in training will depend on you. Some hamsters will also be more motivated than others to learn things, so it is based on an individual level and the combination of your partnership.
Since hamsters are food motivated, you can often get their attention by using their favorite treats. Many videos on YouTube and other social media platforms show you how other people are training their hamsters, so you can follow suit.
After all, wouldn’t it be fun to show folks who come over everything your hamster can do?
Conclusion
While hamsters don’t have an exact IQ measurable by science quite yet, we know that they are very intelligent creatures. They might not be on par with, say, a rat. But they can certainly surprise you with how much they can learn.
So, if you’re interested, you can see how other hamster owners taught their tiny rodents to do all sorts of fun tricks and follow commands.
Sources
Petco
Featured Image Credit: Szymon Kaczmarczyk, Shutterstock
- Petco
