Hamsters can mainly see blue and green, while their perception of red, orange, and yellow is weak—these colors may appear as shades of gray to them. Overall, their color vision is far inferior to that of humans. Below is a detailed analysis:
I. Characteristics of Hamsters’ Color Vision
Types of Cone Cells
Hamsters have only two types of cone cells in their retinas (humans have three). This means their color vision system is relatively simple, and they can’t distinguish the rich range of colors like humans do.
Mainly Perceived Colors
Blue and Green: Hamsters have some ability to perceive these two colors, but their ability to distinguish between shades is low.
Red, Orange, and Yellow: To hamsters, these colors may only appear as different shades of gray, making it hard for them to tell apart specific hues.
Color Vision Comparison
Hamsters’ color vision is much weaker than humans’—they can be considered "colorblind" in a sense. The world in their eyes is likely a hazy gray-scale scene, rather than the vibrant, colorful one humans see.
II. Limitations of Hamsters’ Vision
Visual Range
Hamsters are highly nearsighted, with a visual range of only about 30 centimeters. Objects beyond this distance appear blurry to them, and they may even struggle to distinguish between different types of food.
Dynamic Vision
Hamsters also have poor dynamic vision, making it difficult for them to track fast-moving objects. This may be related to their nocturnal lifestyle—at night, they rely more on static vision and smell.
Field of Vision
Despite their limited visual acuity, hamsters have an extremely wide field of vision, reaching around 270 degrees. This helps them detect potential threats or food sources at night. However, they can’t see the area directly below their eyes, making them prone to falling from heights.
III. Hamsters’ Main Ways of Perceiving the World
Smell
Hamsters have an extremely sharp sense of smell, with tens of thousands of olfactory receptors in their noses that can distinguish hundreds of different scents. In daily activities, they mainly rely on smell to perceive their surroundings, find food, and recognize their owners.
Hearing
Hamsters’ ears are highly sensitive, allowing them to pick up subtle changes in sound. Through hearing, they can monitor movements in their environment and respond promptly.
Touch
Hamsters also have well-developed tactile senses. They use their whiskers and physical contact to perceive information like an object’s shape, texture, and temperature.