Hamsters have an intelligence level roughly equivalent to that of a 1 to 3-year-old human child. They exhibit notable smarts in areas like learning, environmental adaptation, problem-solving, social interaction, and emotional perception, detailed as follows:
I. Learning Ability: Mastering New Skills Quickly
Maze Navigation & Path Memory
Hamsters can quickly learn to navigate mazes using food rewards, and they even remember complex routes. For example, in experiments, hamsters can pinpoint the location of hidden food after multiple attempts, demonstrating strong spatial memory.
Tool Use & Behavioral Imitation
Some hamsters use surrounding objects (such as small wooden blocks) to push through obstacles. They can also learn new skills (like crawling through tubes or jumping) by observing other hamsters. This "learn-by-imitating" ability is relatively prominent among rodents.
Conditioned Reflex Training
With repeated training, hamsters can learn simple commands (such as spinning in circles or jumping onto a platform) and may even respond to their names. When their owners call them, hamsters might approach voluntarily or show excitement.
II. Environmental Adaptation: Responding Flexibly to Changes
Habitat Selection
Wild hamsters adjust their behavior with the seasons—for instance, storing food and seeking warm burrows in winter. Pet hamsters also adapt quickly to new cages or toys, and they find safe spots through exploration.
Crisis Response Strategies
When facing danger, hamsters may play dead or hide quickly. For example, when sensing a threat, they might freeze motionless to mimic death and avoid predators.
Food Management Smarts
Hamsters store food in their cheek pouches and hide it in multiple concealed locations. They remember where they’ve stashed food and can retrieve it accurately even days later, preventing hunger.
III. Problem-Solving: Creatively Overcoming Obstacles
Obstacle Breaking
When encountering mazes or physical barriers, hamsters try multiple methods (such as digging, climbing, or pushing) to reach their goal. For example, to get food placed high up, they may stack objects or use their exercise wheels as auxiliary tools.
Tool Innovation
A small number of hamsters modify toys or their environment—like chewing up toys and rearranging the pieces to create new ways to play. This "creative play" reflects flexibility in problem-solving.
IV. Social Interaction: Building Complex Relationships
Peer Communication
Hamsters interact with each other through sounds, scents, and body language. For example, when in danger, they emit specific alarm calls to warn the group to hide.
Owner Interaction
Pet hamsters can recognize their owners’ voices and scents, and they show emotional dependence. After long-term interaction, hamsters may climb onto their owners’ hands voluntarily or use vocalizations to express needs (such as hunger or loneliness).
V. Emotional Perception: Recognizing Human Moods
Mood Judgment
Hamsters can sense changes in their owners’ moods. When owners show affection, hamsters relax or play; when owners are upset, hamsters may hide or stay alert.
Dependence on Positive Feedback
Through reward systems (such as food or petting), hamsters build trust with their owners. For example, receiving a reward after following a command strengthens their motivation to learn.