Dwarf Hamster Biting

Question
I bought my son a dwarf siberian hamster and it keeps biting when we try to pick him up from his cage.  Is there any tricks to stop them from this or will he always behave like this?  I'm considering returning him if he won't allow my son to hold him without biting.  We got him from the pet store just before xmas and they couldn't tell us exactly how old he was.  His cage is I think about 18in x 13in x 17in and has two levels. He has a small wheel and a couple of wooden chew toys. Also, a store bought log to go in and out of.  I am also worried about an outbreak of LCMV(Lymphocytic choriomeningitis) that the CDC said was traced to hamsters, do you know about this?

Answer
Dear Jodi,
thank you for your question.
Many dwarf hamsters bite inside their cage but are perfectly friendly outside. Often they do so because their cage is too small and they feel that they have to defend their territory. Your cage is bigger than most, but still too small even for a dwarf hamster. If you can, get an old fish tank (look for those at garage sales or in the ads of your local paper, they are often very cheap when leaking) that's at least 30x20x20 inches long, wide and high, it mustn't be higher than wide to ensure proper ventilaion. That's the easiest and cheapest way to get a good hamster home. You just need a lid made from wire netting.

The only problem with tanks is that you have to reach into them from above and anything coming from above means danger for rodents. You can solve that problem by reaching into the tank not where the hamster is but on the far end and letting it come to you. Choosing a place where the hamster gets treats like mealworms ect. is another good trick because the hamster will like to come to that place and will let himself be taken out of the cage soon.

Put your hand intot the cage and let the hamster come by himself, they are curious and investigate anything new in their cage soon. Offer a treat on your hand and when the hamster is comfortable sitting on your hand, you can start to move it around in the cage slowly. When the hamster is fine with that, form a cave with both hands to make him feel more secure and take him out. It may take some time, but eventually it will work.

A wheel that's too small can cause backbone injuries with rodents. The only good wheel for dwarf hamster currently sold is the Wodent Wheel from http://www.transoniq.com/

LCM is carried by Syrian hamster, I'm not sure about trhe dwarf hamster species'. Only animals between 3-6 months old can have it and they usually get well again after three weeks if they fall ill at all. The virus is carried by hamster feces and salvia, so washing your hands after touching the hamster and cleaning the cage with gloves is enough to prevent an infection. If you are pregnant, you should reduce the contact to the hamster to a minimum for the next 6 months, but you don't need to give him away because of that. Infected humans show symptoms that are similar to flu symptoms.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer