my hampster bites

Question
why is my hampster so afraid of my own hand i just got her 6-12-07 shes very small and shes always biteing me and why is she all ways in the back of the cage and under the wheel or in her little home

Answer
Hi Kenneth

Sorry to hear your hamster bites.  

Here are some suggestions for taming her:

Firstly, talk to her a lot.  Every time you see her, speak to her so that she recognises your voice.  Give her treats of nuts/raisins/small pieces of vegetables etc. through the bars.  Never stick your finger through the bars or she will mistake them for food.

When you want to handle her, don't put your hand in the cage.  She is obviously nervous and isn't happy with you doing this.  Instead, rub some of the woodchippings into your hands so your hands smell of her.  Put her cage on the floor.  Take the cage apart if you can so that all that is left is the base, then gently scoop her up with both hands.  Don't try to pick her up from above or hold her tightly.  In the wild, hamsters are often attacked from above by large animals or birds and that is why she is afraid.  They have very bad eyesight and have to rely almost totally on scent.

Sit on the floor with her - let her walk over your clothing, on your legs, and on your chest.  Some hamsters don't like to be on skin, so if you wear a long sleeved shirt that might help.  Don't hold her tightly, instead let her explore.  If she starts to get away from you, gently scoop her up again. When she starts to feel confident, let her walk from hand to hand.

All the time, keep talking to her so she feels safe.  After a short time return her to her cage.  Then a bit later do this again.  Never put your hand into her nest when she is sleeping - if she is asleep and you want to get her out, gently tap the side of the cage and call her so you don't wake her suddenly.

It takes a while to tame a hamster, and this cannot be rushed.  Let me know how you get on over the next week or two.

Regards