Suppose you invested in a hamster and noticed their behavior was a little funny. In a more specific case, they are starting to do backflips. Now you are all worried, seeing as they have never done it. Nevertheless, we encourage you not to fear, as we will answer you. So, why do hamsters do backflips, anyway?

Hamsters do backflips for quite a few different reasons, but the most regular is to display their raw agility and strength by performing harrowing feats that most other hamsters aren’t innately capable of. This means they might have a neurological issue, which is often genetic.

While they probably are not doing it to impress potential mates or directly establish dominance over others of their species, it does show a difference in capability. A more simplistic reason would be that they enjoy doing it, which makes them happy.

It is worth noting that there are a few more serious and concerning reasons why a hamster may be doing backflips. Unfortunately enough, some of them can indicate something is wrong with your little fluffball.

We recommend reading further, as this information might be essential. We will discuss why hamsters keep doing backflips, answer whether all hamsters do them, and explain how you can tell if something is wrong with your hamster. Without further ado, let us continue, but first, check out this video for better demonstration on what a hamster backflip looks like. 

Why Does My Hamster Keep Doing Backflips?

 

As we discussed, there are a few reasons why a hamster would do backflips in the first place. However, it’s important to note that some hamsters are incapable of doing backflips at all, and to that end, you should not try to encourage the behavior itself, as it may injure your pet.

1. Stress

 

Stress and pressure can cause many involuntary reactions in people and animals, and hamsters are no exception. If something suddenly appears that frightens your hamster, it may leap back to escape the threat or danger and perform a backflip by accident.

 

2. Lack of Space

 

In much the same way that stress can cause hamsters to react volatilely, a lack of space can cause their behavior to be irrational or frantic. A hamster that is uncomfortable with its living conditions may do a backflip as a spastic movement or a fleeting attempt to feel joy when saddened about its surroundings.

 

3. Isolation

 

Being desolate and alone is another factor that may cause your hamster to react poorly to specific situations or in unexpected ways. For example, if your little friend is going through a mania, it may behave unexpectedly and do a backflip or two in a desperate attempt to garner your attention. Spending time with them daily is essential so they do not feel lonely.

 

4. Overcrowding

 

Possible, but definitely not the most likely reason, would be overcrowding. If a hamster is surrounded by other pets or too many toys and obstacles, it may feel the need to do these flips to get much-needed room. Other hamsters might not appreciate the sudden movement and do their best to distance themselves from it, giving it room at the cost of fitting in with others.

Another thing to consider is that hamsters are very territorial, so they do not like being near other hamsters. If you genuinely want multiple hamsters, we highly recommend having ample space for them to crawl around and not fight with one another.

 

5. Lack of Environmental Complexity

 

This is a fancy way of saying your hamster is bored with its home and is doing its absolute best to create new challenges and unique viewpoints to make things more interesting. This can start off with simple backflips but can progressively lead to your hamster climbing onto things and performing more dangerous versions of backflips.

Do All Hamsters Do Backflips?

 

Unfortunately, not all hamsters are blessed with the capability of doing backflips. In truth, very few hamsters actually have bodies that are slim enough to perform the feat. The ability to do a backflip in the first place amongst hamsters comes from having slightly longer legs, which allow them to launch themselves with enough force to backflip in the first place.

Due to this, you must not try to “force” or “train” your hamster to do them, as you can be challenging your hamster’s physiology and potentially putting it in harm’s way. It might appear funny at first, but failed backflips can cause a lot of harm to your hamster’s body and internal organs, so be mindful of your pet doing this feat in general.

Backflips are actually rather unnatural for hamsters to do, and while entertaining can be an underlying cause of serious health issues, anything from issues in your pet’s vestibular system (which regulates balance) to potentially having a stroke.

Be vigilant. If your hamster begins to attempt this acrobatic stunt randomly, observe it closely for other signs of emerging health concerns.

 

Can Hamsters Learn How to Do a Backflip as a Skill?

 

If they have the physical capability to do so, then hypothetically, you can teach hamsters with the body type to do so. However, learning which traits and builds can do this is very difficult for a first-time owner and can put your pet at risk.

Certain breeds are more likely to be capable of doing backflips, so if this is something you want to see, you may want to research this in-depth before getting your first (or next) hamster.

 

Why Does My Hamster Keep Flipping on Wheel?

 

A hamster may begin doing flips on its wheel out of boredom or purely because it is thrill-seeking. Doing flips brings hamsters joy (if they can naturally do it), and they may be looking for more grand and entertaining ways to perform the feat and challenge themselves.

 

Why Is My Hamster Lying on Its Back?

 

Hamsters enjoy stretching themselves out regularly. You can periodically observe this stance when hamsters are sleeping or just relaxing, so it is not something you should be directly concerned about if you happen to see it at a glance.

However, if you are watching your hamster do backflips and it lands poorly and stays on its back afterward, it may have seriously injured itself, so you may want to take it to the vet to ensure everything is okay.

Vet visits can be costly, so make sure you see with your eyes or hear the telltale signs of a severe fall (cage shaking violently or unexpectedly and audible sounds of discomfort coming from your hamster) before rushing to the vet.

 

How Do I Know If Something Is Wrong With My Hamster?

 

It can be rather difficult to diagnose issues with your hamster at a passing glance, but some of the easiest things to note are irregular sleeping patterns, increased stress levels, higher aggression, and odd walking.

Walking oddly probably doesn’t mean much to most people, but look for slight head tilts, spasmodic fidgeting that doesn’t look natural, favoring a certain side while it walks, not using a leg, and even dragging itself. These can all be signs that your hamster is in dire need of help.

Conclusion

 

Backflips are cool at the end of the day, regardless of when humans or hamsters perform them. Still, you cannot force your hamster to do something it is not physically capable of, and it may injure it in the process, so if your hamster species is keen on flipping, there are videos and tutorials on how you can guide it, but be patient, and more importantly, be safe.