Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Hybernating Hamsters 
Name: Christopher
Status: other
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
Do hamsters hybernate? If so, when brought out of the cold how long to regain activeness?

Replies:
I do not believe that hamsters hibernate, since they are native to very warm desert areas, but you might check on that. I don't think they should be left out in a a very cold place.

J. Elliott

Don't forget, hamsters are nocturnal, and don't do much during the day.

A few years ago, we found a stray hamster in our backyard on a cold November day. It cheered right up when we brought it into our house, warmed and fed it. So if your hamster really is inactive at night as well as during the day, it's probably sick.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois

Click here to return to the Zoology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory