Hamsters

how fast do hamsters run


How Fast Do Hamsters Run?

If you’ve ever wondered just how speedy your cuddly friend can be – here’s your chance to find out! Hamsters can be enjoyably energetic and often wonder around their home pretty quickly. But just how fast do they run?

Top Speed

Hamsters can move quite quickly compared with the average pet. They are capable of running up to 8 miles per hour! This is 4 times faster than we can run. To put that into context, it’s faster than Usain Bolt’s sprinting speed of 23.5 mph.

Treadmill Runs

For those extra curious owners, there are a few scientific studies that have mapped the running speed of hamsters on treadmills! As you might expect, hamsters in captivity often run faster than their free roaming peers.

Some studies have found that hamsters can run up to 10 miles per hour on a treadmill. This is because they are running in a controlled environment, where they do not fear any predators nearby.

0-60mph

While 8-10 mph is the maximum speed of a running hamster, it can take a little while for them to ramp up to this top speed. Much like a Ferrari, it takes a few seconds for your hamster wheel to reach maximum speed. It takes them about 2.5 seconds to reach a running pace of 6.2 mph!

Exercise

Running is just one thing hamsters do to stay healthy. Here are a few other activities you can provide your hamster with:

  • Climbing – stairs, cubes, ladders and other objects
  • Exploration – exploring different areas of your home or wheel
  • Chewing – something to nibble on and help maintain their teeth
  • Hide and Seek – small boxes and tunnels to explore

By providing your hamster with plenty of exercise and stimulation, they’re sure to maintain their speedy sprinting habits!

Recent Post

Join Our Channel

Send Us A Message

Share: