Syrian Hamster behavior

Question
I have a Syrian hamster (male, I think) I bought about 7 weeks ago, when he was supposedly about 6 weeks old.  He seems healthy, and eats well (loves sunflower seeds).

My question is:  He runs on his wheel CONSTANTLY.  Is that normal?  It seems he does it all night long.  If we let him out into a little fenced area, he just runs and runs around.  He doesn't like us to "catch" him.  But if we scoop him up in his wheel and pour him into our hand, he will be OK and not bite.

He just seems so busy and anxious.  Is that normal?

Answer
Hi,
Syrian hamsters can get addicted to their wheel. That is why it is important to have a good wheel that is big enough and has a closed surface, like this wheel:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244417...
If you are afraid of the hamster getting addicted, offer him the wheel for a few hours every night and make sure he has something else to occupy himself with for the rest of the time: cardboard tubes, branches, twigs, food wrapped in paper or beaded on a string, tufts of grass, leaves, old socks, hammocks, chewing toys...
Syrian hamsters have nearly endless energy, they always run, dig, chew or climb, so that's normal. If the cage is big enough and the hamster has enough to do, there is nothing to worry about.
I hope I was of some help
Jennifer