Hamster intelligence

Question
QUESTION: I would like to do a project with my hamster.  I was wondering what my hypothesis could be?  I wanted to find out if hamsters could recognize colors.  I was thinking of trying to teach my hamster to follow one color only to get to his food.  But what would be the constant?  I think the variable would be the colors?  Any ideas?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Dear Eileen,
thank you for your question.
I think it would be easier to test whether your hamster can recognize black and white patterns, for example by hiding food and empty bowls behind little doors with different patterns on them and testing if the hamster learns to prefer one pattern over the other when he hs found food behind it repeatedly. Maybe it would even be better to let the hamster choose a door at random and then giving a treat to avoid him smelling the food. The pattern he chose will be the food pattern from then on.

The problem with the colour recognition test is that you cannot prove that he's seeing colour. He might just see different shades of gray (I'm fairly sure that hamsters do).
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer

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QUESTION: Can you please tell me if gerbils see colors or just in black and white?  Thanks !

Answer
Dear Eileen,
thank you for your question.
As far as I know, recent research has shown that gerbils (and related species) see colours and have eyesight that is comparable to that of humans. I cannot give you any sources for this because I've read it in a German rodent magazine (the Rodentia) and I cannot remember right now what edition it was. I'll look for it, if I can find it I'll get back to you with my sources for this.
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer