my hamster is untamable

Question
I have had my hamster (male, unknown breed) for about 9 -10 months, when i 1st got him i was scared to hold him so i put its off but I still haven't picked up because when my mum, sister and friend tried to it bite them. I am frightened of my hamster, to get to cloe to it, that it might escape! I want to tame im but i am do terrified of him now. What to I do? I'm desperate!

Answer
Dear Katie,
thank you for your question.
Taming your hamster will take time and patience, but I'm sure it will work in the end. First, give him an old t-shirt or something from you to let him get used to your smell (should be cotton, that's safe for hamsters). Then offer him a treat at the same place in the cage every day - a mealworm, a raisin (not if it's a dwarf), a pumpkin seeds ect. You will probably be able to touch him gently while he's eating after a few days.
In case he vanishes with the food, try offering him a cardboard tube or a box to climb in, hamsters usually investigate anything that resembles a tunnel. That way you will be able to take him out of his cage without being bitten. You can let him run around in a corner of a room or in a hamster play pen (wood/OSB panels connected with duct tape, can be folded when not used) and try giving him treats and gently touching him there. When he must go back into the cage, use the box again.

When the hamster is comfortable with you touching him, try putting your flat hand near him, maybe offer a treat on your hand. I don't think he will bite you then, but will investigate your hand. When he is comfortable with this, move him around gently on your hand and after doing this a few times, put your other hand on top of him to form a cave, usually hamsters feel safe when held that way.

Many hamsters are aggressive inside their cage and perfectly friendly outside. This is often caused by too small cages and because they are kept in tanks you have to reach in from above. In my opinion, the minimum for a Syrian hamster (teddy hamsters ect. are Syrians, too) is 40x20x20" long, wide and high, 30x20x20" for dwarfs. When the hamster is kept in a tank, never try to get near him from above, this means danger for all small animals (=birds of prey, bigger predators). Put your hand in the tank on the far side of the hamster and let him come to you or move your hand towards him from the side, that way he has time to see that it's just you and nothing dangerous.

I hope I was of some help to you and that you will have a tame hamster soon :)
Jennifer