Stress: Hamsters are sensitive to stress, and if a mother hamster feels overwhelmed or stressed, she may resort to cannibalism to reduce the litter size and conserve resources.
Lack of resources: If the mother hamster does not have access to sufficient food, water, or nesting material, she may eat her babies to conserve her own energy and increase her chances of survival.
Health problems: A mother hamster who is sick or injured may not be able to provide proper care for her litter and might eat them as a means of population control.
Genetics: Some hamster species, like Syrian hamsters, are more prone to cannibalism compared to other species.
Inexperience: First-time mothers or inexperienced mothers may not know how to properly care for their litter and may mistakenly eat them.
It's important to note that cannibalism in hamsters is not a frequent occurrence. In most cases, mother hamsters exhibit great care and tenderness towards their young. If you are concerned about the well-being of your hamster babies, it's advisable to provide a comfortable nesting area, sufficient food and water, and minimize any stress factors. If cannibalism does occur, remove the dead or injured babies from the cage as soon as possible to prevent the mother from eating them.