While the vast majority of hamsters are some shade of brown, there are also white, black, and even multi-colored hamsters.
So, if hamsters come in such a wide range of colors, surely they must be able to see all the colors of the rainbow, right?
If you’re wondering what colors your hamster can see, keep reading to find out more.
Are hamsters color blind?
Hamsters are not color blind, according to a study conducted by the University of Leicester. The study found that hamsters can distinguish between different colors, including shades of blue and green. This study also found that hamsters are not very good at distinguishing between different shades of the same color.
For example, a hamster may be able to tell the difference between a light blue and a dark blue, but it would have difficulty telling the difference between two shades of green.
This research indicates that hamsters do have some level of color vision, but it is not as sophisticated as human color vision.
A hamster’s color vision is similar to a human’s red-green color blindness. They can see blue and yellow colors clearly, but red and green colors appear muted.
One important fact is that hamster can see ultraviolet light, which means they may be able to see flowers that are invisible to us.
What color can they see?
Research suggests that hamsters can only see blue and yellow, while humans can also see red. This difference is due to a difference in the light-sensitive cells in our eyes- humans have cones that are sensitive to red, green, and blue light, while hamsters only have cones that are sensitive to blue and yellow light.
How hamsters see colors
Scientists have long been fascinated by the question of what colors hamsters can see.
The answer, it turns out, is both complex and fascinating. A number of different factors, including the pigments in the retina and the way light is processed by the brain, come into play when determining what colors an animal can see.
In general, hamsters seem to be able to see a range of colors that includes both blue and violet hues.
A study conducted in 2008 found that hamsters are able to distinguish between red, green, and blue hues.
Additionally, some studies have suggested that they may also be able to see ultraviolet light, which would give them a much wider range of colors than we can see.
While more research is needed to confirm this, it’s clear that hamsters have a surprisingly sophisticated sense of color vision.
Color receptors
Hamsters have two types of color receptors in their eyes, just like we do. These are called cone cells and rod cells. Cone cells allow an animal to see color, while rod cells help them see in low light conditions.
Hamsters have more rod cells than cone cells, which means that their vision isn’t as sharp as ours. However, they’re still able to see a wide range of colors.
Furthermore, hamsters have only two type of cone cells in their eyes, while humans have three type of cones cells, which make us trichromats and able to see a wide range of colors.
However, hamsters’ eyes are optimized for low-light conditions. As a result, they can see better in dimly lit areas but may have difficulty distinguishing colors in bright light.
Scientific evidence suggests that hamsters use color vision to help them find food and avoid predators. For example, one study found that hamsters preferred to drink from blue water bottles over green or red ones.
In addition, they are more likely to approach objects that are a different color than their surroundings. In a scientific study, hamsters have been shown to preferentially choose foods that are brightly colored.
Do all hamsters see the same colors?
No, the pigments in the retina and the way light is processed by the brain, come into play when determining what colors an animal can see.
After all, different animals have different adaptations, so it stands to reason that their color vision would be different as well. Hamster are no exception to this rule.
Hamster vision and the light
Hamster vision is not very good in low light conditions.
In general, hamsters are nearsighted and can only see things that are close to them.
Hamsters’ eyes are also very sensitive to bright light, so they prefer to stay in dim or dark places.
However, hamsters do have good peripheral vision, which helps them to avoid predators. They also have a special reflective layer in their eyes, called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them to see better in the dark.
Hamsters vision breed variations
Some hamster breeds are better equipped to deal with the vision limitations than others.
For example, Syrian hamsters have large eyes that allow them to gather more light.
Additionally, they have a reflective layer in their eyes that helps them to see better in low light conditions. As a result, Syrian hamsters generally have better vision than other breeds of hamsters.
Another breed of hamster that has good vision is the Robo hamster. Robo hamsters have larger eyes than most other breeds, and they also have a reflective layer in their eyes.
Additionally, they are able to move their eyes independently, which allows them to scan their surroundings more effectively.
As a result, Robo hamsters generally have better vision than other breeds of hamsters.
Final thoughts
Hamsters can see a range of colors, but their vision isn’t as sharp as ours. Hamster have color receptors cells in their retinae (cones), but they seem to have more rods than cones.
If you’re wondering what colors your hamster can see, keep in mind that they’re able to distinguish between different shades of gray and some basic colors like blue and green.
However, they likely can’t tell the difference between similar colors like orange and red.
The ability to see colors along with their extremely keen sense of smell help them to survive in the wild.
If you are looking for a hamster with good vision, then a Syrian hamster may be the right choice for you. In a research study, Syrian hamsters were able to discriminate between different colors and pattern than other types of hamsters.
In conclusion, your hamster may not be able to appreciate all the colors in the rainbow, they can still enjoy a vibrant world full of hues.
