just bought our first hamster

Question
Hi my family just bought our first hamster, he is a Syrian black bear. we got him the starter kit cage and everything...I was wondering how to get him accustomed to us and the kids? we have had the kids hold there finger up to the cage so he could smell them, and we have talked to him, but he bit my oldest daughter through his cages. what else can we do? also he has noticeable little testicles, how old could he be? to old to be tamed? we got him from Petco.
we have given him a little carrot and he seems to like that, he is very curious and has even "jumped" on to the bars of his cage :) any feed back would be great!

Answer
Your hamster sound like he is no more then 6 months old, younger hamsters, to me at least, seem to take longer to tame then older ones. Young hamsters usually are not used to humans and are only used to the company of other hamsters. Hamsters learn by scent and sound, not sight. It may take a while, but if you associate yourself with good things, your hamster will take to you in no time. Let him smell your fingers and hear your voice. Little by little put a treat on your hand and let him know that you bring good things. Move slowly, and one day he will let you pick him up and not be scared. Once your hamster learns to associate hands with good things, he will not be so jumpy. Also as hamsters age they tend to calm down, I bought my boy when he was 6 months old, and was tame from the day I bought him. The reason for this is that hamsters are solitary adult animals. When they are young they do not mind other hamsters, but as soon as 3 months rolls around they begin becoming solitary, and in my opinion, much more friendly. His testicles may by small now, but they will grow in size and usually drag on the ground. Keep offering veggie and fruit treats, even unsweetened cereal, rice, pasta, cooked eggs and such. Your hamster will love you for it, just make sure it is in moderation or he will get ill.