Hamster wheel
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- The related term squirrel cage may refer to:
Hamster wheels are exercise toys used by hamsters and other rodents. Most of these toys are composed of a runged wheel held on a stand by a pair of stub axles. Hamster wheels allow rodents to run even when their space is confined.
Most wheels are usually constructed of steel or plastic. Solid plastic wheels are safer for some types of pets, such as hamsters, because the rungs on a steel wheel can cause injuries. However, steel wheels are much more durable, as some rodents (such as gerbils) will quickly chew on and destroy plastic wheels.
A related toy, the hamster ball is a spherical plastic ball which a pet can be temporarily locked inside. This allows the pet to freely roll around on the floor to explore and exercise, while preventing escape. Care must be taken to block off stairways.
[edit] Hamster wheel humour
Hamster wheels have often been proposed as the basis of many speculative methods for power generation, though they have proven impractical. They are often said to be the true power behind computer networks, especially slow-moving or unreliable ones. The joke is similarly applied to automobiles and other motor vehicles.
[edit] Human Sized Wheels
Large runged wheels have been constructed large enough to allow humans to exercise and/or roll around in them. See also wheel gymnastics.
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