What different types of hamsters are there?
There are very many different types of hamster but there are five main types that are domesticated and commonly kept as pets:
- Syrian Hamster (or Golden) - the largest and most popular type of hamster, these always need to be kept alone
- Campbell's Dwarf Hamster - these often like to live in groups and the male is larger than the female
- Winter White Dwarf Russian Hamster - can undergo a dramatic colour change in colder weather, often becoming entirely white!
- Roborovski Hamster - smaller than the other dwarf hamsters often with longer more "ruffled" fur and they can move very quickly
- Chinese (or Striped) Hamster - distinctive in having a longer tail and a darker dorsal stripe
Over the years most of these hamster types have been bred to produce a  variety of different subtypes of hamsters. These can vary in colour, pattern, hair length and type, temperament and socialisation characteristics.
It is generally not possible to keep hamsters of different types together, so a choice has to be made as to which type of hamster is best for you. You will find more information to help you decide this in the hamster articles section.
What's so good about keeping hamsters?
 The popularity of hamsters as pets is not difficult to understand. They make ideal pets for a number of reasons. Hamsters are extremely cute and appeal to people of all ages, they are also very lively and inquisitive and hamster's behaviour is fascinating to watch.
They require relatively little room and can be accommodated by people who live in apartments, through to those with the largest of homes and gardens.
Contrary to popular belief they do not give off unpleasant smells as long as  their living quarters are kept clean and they make little noise. They can be kept alone as most are solitary animals, or in some types under the right circumstances, they can be kept in pairs or groups. Obviously same sex groups unless you want to become a hamster breeder!
Hamsters can be tamed and with regular and correct handling, will grow to enjoy human contact and biting is rarely a problem.
Hamsters are generally very healthy animals with little maintenance health needs or costs and are therefore inexpensive animals to keep. The main outlay being for their accommodation, food and toys.
Where can you get hamsters?
 Like most small animals there are already many unwanted hamsters in rescue shelters all over the world. So if you want to get a hamster or hamsters your first port of call should be an animal rescue centre. Hamsters are also widely available from pet stores and specialised hamster breeders, if you are after a particular colour or breed of hamster.
In general though, you have to be very careful getting your hamsters from these sources, as from pet stores in particular the breeding information is often very scant or not known at all. There is also some concern over how well the animals are looked after in larger stores with frequent adverse reports of poor animal welfare in such places.
It is important to chose a young hamster if you want the best chance of taming your hamster. Hamsters do have a fairly short life span of only about 2-3 years on average in Syrians and it can be even less for dwarf hamsters. So the younger you get them the longer you can enjoy their company, but you and your children do need to be prepared for losing your hamsters.
Hamsters are usually weaned (removed from mothers breastfeeding) at about 3-4 weeks old and can be sexed at this age, although it gets easier and more accurate to do so as they get a little older and the differences between male and female hamsters becomes more pronounced.
If you plan on keeping hamsters in a group, it is better to get them as young as possible and they should already be familiarised with each other, preferably nest mates.
Housing and bedding for hamsters
 When choosing a cage for any hamster generally the bigger the better, so it is worth extending your budget a little bit on this one very important area.
Hamster cages generally come in three main types, the aquarium or bin cages, the tube and compartment cage and traditional wire cages. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages and we cover these in more detail in the information sections. It is  largely a matter of individual choice which type of housing that you chose for your hamster.
In addition to a good cage you will need a water bottle, an exercise device e.g. wheel, a food bowl, a sleeping area or nest box and a few interesting play things for your hamsters.
There are a whole range of materials that can be used for hamster bedding. These include shredded soft paper, flattened barley straw and wood shavings. They can all be suitable but if you do chose  wood shavings it is important to chose a good quality hamster safe variety. As dust particles in wood shavings can affect the hamsters breathing and some cedar and pine woods can contain also contain harmful resins which can be toxic to hamsters livers. For these reasons paper based bedding's are becoming more popular.
What do hamsters eat?
Hamsters will eat almost anything you give them, so it is your responsibility to ensure that nothing dangerous that could harm them goes into their cage.
In the stores two main types of hamster food is commonly available, hamster  pellets (or rodent pellets) and hamster muesli. Hamster muesli is a mixture of food types so you have to watch out as your hamster may only pick out its favourite bits. If your hamster has muesli, make sure it is eating all the different pieces, not just the sunflower seeds and peanuts!
Pellets look “boring” but are full the essential nutrients, to ensure the hamster gets a balanced diet. Some hamsters will just not like the pellets (Trouble in particular), if this happens just try another kind. There are many treats available in the stores, but they are often quite expensive.
 Hamsters can also eat many of the food types that you have at home, such as certain fruits, vegetables and herbs in small amounts. Introduce these to your hamster slowly, a small amount every other day to begin with. Hamsters must ALWAYS be fed these foods in small portions.
Hamster handling
 Hamsters are great as pets because they can be happy with as much or little attention as you care to give them. They do however need some basic daily attention and it is good to establish a daily care routine.
Young hamsters will become very tame if handled every day, but you should start slowly particularly after first getting your hamster. Hamsters have very poor vision so you should introduce your hand carefully and always try to encourage the hamster to walk onto the palm of your hand. This lets it get familiar with the scent of your hand. When tame you should pick it up very gently.
If the hamster is grabbed suddenly or held too tight it will feel threatened and this is when it can bite. You should also always makes sure when out of its housing it is not held at a height from which it could fall and sustain an injury nor that it runs loose as they move very fast and can escape.
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As already mentioned hamsters are pretty healthy animals but, of course, like all animals there are some diseases and illnesses which can occur.
