Hamsters' vision has the following characteristics, and overall, it is in a state of severe myopia with limited functionality:
I. Core Visual Characteristics
Severe Myopia
Their effective visual range is only 10–30 centimeters; beyond this range, objects become blurry, equivalent to 2000–3000 degrees of myopia in humans.
Objects directly in front cannot be clearly focused on, and they can only perceive light, shadow, and outlines.
Outstanding Night Vision
97% of the cells in their retinas are rod cells, allowing them to detect moving objects in low-light environments. However, their vision drops sharply in strong light or complete darkness.
Extremely Weak Color Perception
They can only distinguish grayish-blue tones and cannot recognize colors like red or yellow.
II. Visual Limitations and Adaptations
Wide Field of View with Obvious Defects
Their horizontal field of view reaches 270°, but they cannot form stereoscopic vision and need to turn their heads to observe different directions.
They cannot judge height or distance, making them prone to falling from high places.
Sensory Compensation Mechanisms
They rely on whiskers to detect the environment, sense of smell to identify food and companions, and ultrasonic sounds to communicate.
III. Breeding Considerations
Avoid Strong Light Stimulation: Use soft lighting and do not suddenly turn on lights at night.
Anti-Fall Measures: The height of platforms should not exceed 15 centimeters.
Toy Selection: Prioritize blue or green items and avoid red fluorescent objects.