Instructions For A Made Up Bionicle

technology in the Hamster Terrarium

Technical Accessories for hamsters terrarium

needed, unlike a reptile terrarium terrarium little hamster technique. Hamsters kept at room temperature and humidity, and need as nocturnal animals do not necessarily lighting. Nevertheless, there are some things that make a beautiful terrarium hamster or practical. However, it should always be taken to ensure that the hamster does not reach the art and eg. Cable can not chew. The following I describe thermometer, lights, speedo, and camera use in the hamster terrarium.

thermometer

If not already in the room a thermometer is available, we recommend placing a thermometer in the hamster cage (especially in closed cages). Especially in the summer you have to monitor the temperature. Although hamsters originate from warm climates, but spend the day in their cool building, and only come in the evening / night out if it's cool. Ie. they do not tolerate extremely hot temperatures.

Already is from 25 ° C, hamsters too warm and you should keep you cool (Source: summer problems hamsters and dwarf hamsters summer problems on thief Rain - rodents Info ). This can be done eg. Ice packs placed around the enclosure (make sure that the hamster does not turn and no condensation dripping into the enclosure) or offer larger stones and sandy areas in the compound and thirst-quenching food such as eg. Cucumbers. If you own one, you can also turn the air conditioning system, however much one should pay attention to the fact that the hamster can not get a train because he could catch a cold otherwise. In an emergency, you have to put the hamster in another cooler room.

In winter the temperature was 18 ° C not less, as there is a risk that the hamster in hibernation (for hamsters) or in torpor (for dwarf hamsters) falls.

An interesting possibility of temperature control is to use a wireless weather station system such as eg. Series WS-444PC by Conrad. This weather station can link up to 9 sensors receive and record and can be connected to the PC via USB. In addition to various external sensors can also integrate the small S555 temperature and humidity sensor in the system that is small and inexpensive enough to be placed into a terrarium. The acquisition of the weather station itself is a little more expensive but offers the Possibility, depending on the system, embedded and sensors, the temperatures of housing, various rooms, outside temperature, rainfall and wind speed and level, temperature and humidity of several terrariums (whether for hamsters or other animals) and read centrally and, moreover, to monitor with the PC.

lighting

general, LEDs recommended for lighting of hamster cages, since they emit very little heat and not heat up the enclosure. Although not really necessary permits a daylight the enclosure look nice for the holder. It can also to take pictures sometimes be turned on briefly in the evening and is useful to see better in the cleaning of the enclosure. Suitable and comparatively favorable example. the "diode" LED strips from IKEA .

enclosure with daylight / Cage with day lighting

IKEA "diode" LED strips (test)

To observe the Hamster is a night lighting helpful - many hamsters are hiding in their houses namely / buildings as long as white light. Here, too, should to resort to LEDs. In order for the hamster is not disturbed either red LEDs used since hamsters are rotblind and perceive this light, therefore only weakly. Or you can use a so-called "Moonlight" from the Terraristikabteilung. If you sit in a darkened room (eg. for strongly dimmed lights) and has only had its night lighting, a new dare too early, yet often elusive hamster from their building / house will get to observe. The nightlight should not be left on all night because it is still something is perceived.

Red light / Red night lighting

"Moonlight" / "Moonlight" (image courtesy of Mimi01)

infrared light: most video and cameras and compact cameras with video function to exercise in addition to visible light and infrared light. If you want to film his hamster in complete darkness (ie without a night light), one may light the enclosure with IR LEDs and film the hamster Sun

speedometer run

speedometer with the total mileage 1003km my Campbell dwarf hamster for about 8 months / bike computer with odometer showing 1003km (623mi) run by my dwarf hamster Campbell's in about 8 months.

is also interesting to measure the distance traveled by the wheel of a simple bicycle speedometer. The speedometer must meet only two conditions: he must be prepared for such a small wheel sizes and itself on and off again. Most speedometers with cheap cables meet these requirements (some more expensive models, especially radio tachometer however, often not). Usually you only have the wheel circumference Enter in millimeters. The wheel diameter is common following exchange:

• 20cm wheel circumference = 628mm
• 25cm wheel circumference = 785mm
• 27cm wheel circumference = 848mm
• 29cm wheel circumference = 911mm
• 32cm wheel circumference = 1005mm

They attached the magnets on the wheel (eg using wood glue adhesive) so that he nowhere and drags the sensor and the cable out of the reach of the hamster in the cage.

Tacho Installation / bike computer installastion

camera may photograph or film To his hamster to illuminate the enclosure with either the daylight or by IR light. When photographing Furthermore, there is the possibility of lightning which could not flash the hamster from close range in the eye and should use a diffusor. This is especially true for animals with red eyes this should in principle take pictures without flash! For Fotofrafieren of hamsters with small digital cameras I have here are some tips compiled as is also described a simple diffuser. If you have the opportunity to do so you should have a so-called unfettered Flash use, ie. a remote-controlled flash that illuminated the animal from the side. You can get such a nicer, less "totgeblitzes" image.

Other options include the permanent installation of a small web camera in the pen or the use of an endoscope camera (eg. by Voltcraft available from Conrad, Order 120255-62) to look at the buildings of the hamster. However, there must always be taken to ensure that the hamster can not take the camera and the cable comes and is not disturbed by the camera.

English Summary

Technical Accessories for hamster Terrariums

Unlike reptile terrariums hamster terrariums do not necessarily need any technical accessories. Still, gadgets like a thermometer, light, bike computer or camera are useful and interesting add-ons to your cage.

Thermometer

Hamsters are usually kept at room temperature. If you do not have a thermometer in your room anyway you might want to get one for your hamster cage (esp. if it is a closed terrarium-style cage). Hamsters can not cope with heat very well so temperature should be monitored to prevent heatstroke. Also, in winter the temperature should not get too low or your hamster might fall into hibernation. Keep your hamster between 18°C and 25°C (64.4°F to 77°F).

Light

Use LEDs to light your hamster cage because LEDs don't heat up the cage.
Day lighting: while not really necessary it makes the cage look much nicer and is practical for photography and for cleaning the cage. A good and not too expensive option are the "Dioder" LED strip lights by IKEA.

Night lighting: many hamsters are shy and only come out when the room is dark. You can install either red LEDs since hamsters are red blind. Or you can get a so-called "moonlight" from the terra section of your pet shop (also use a LED version). If you then darken your room and only leave the night light on, chances are high that even shy hamsters will come out and you can observe your hamster without disturbing it. Still don't leave the night lighting on the whole night.

IR Light: most video and web cameras or small digital compact cameras can also detect infrared (IR) light. You can get IR LEDs and light your cage with them if you want to film your hamster during the night.

Bike Computer

Another interesting idea is to measure how much your hamster runs in its wheel. For this, you can attach a simple bike computer to the hamster wheel. Attach (eg. glue) the magnet to the wheel and attach the sensor and cable to the cage but out of the hamster's reach. Most (especially the cheap and simple models of) bike computers accept small wheel sizes and can turn themselves on and off automatically. This is all that is required for a "hamster computer".

Camera

For photography and filming you need some light in the cage. You can either use the day lighting or IR lighting for filming. For photography you can also use flash but you should not shoot the flash directly into your hamster's eyes from a short distance. Use a diffusor for the flash and keep a bit of distance. In most cameras, turning on macro mode will also reduce the flash power a bit. If you have a DSLR you might want to invest in a separate flash and flash remote control system so you can shoot the flash from the side which gives much better pictures. Do NOT use flash if your hamster is red-eyed!

Other options are installing a small web cam in the cage or using an endoscope camera to investigate the burrows of your hamster. Make sure the hamster can not reach or chew the camera or cables and is not disturbed by the camera.