Hamster suddenly started biting

[BooseysMom]

I've posted on here recently to say our new hamster is really friendly and loves being handled and fussed. But today it's like he's turned into a vampire overnight! DS put his hand in the cage as usual and received a really nasty deep bite which bled for a few mins. I then spent some time talking in a quiet voice and offering some treats and he accepted those but kept his distance. Then when I slowly withdrew my hand and then put it back in for him to check he suddenly bit me too.
Does anyone have any ideas why the sudden change in temperament. He seems well and is very well cared for. Is he turning into vampire hamster?! If he continues to bite he'll have to go.
Thanks

Your DS could have had some food smells on his hand. They have bad eyesight and can't distinguish.

Don't give away your hamster just because there is 1 bite! People don't get rid of their dogs just because they pooped on the sofa,(or at least if they did, they would be completely castigated on Mumsnet), and maybe its just me, i would be a lot more angry about poop on the sofa than 1 hamster bite (i have only been bitten once so far cos of tomato sauce on my hand). Hamster isn't a dog, no child has ever died of a hamster bite.

All animals have off days, they are not ready made cuddly toys.

I find a hamster to be an amazing pet. Clean , independent (can go out for whole day without guilt), doesn't take up as much space as other animals, cute and fluffy, isn't free roaming so doesn't degrade my property, not cleaning intensive like guinea pigs or rabbits (and no need to wash pee ridden fleece in washing machine as unlike guineas, hamsters don't tend to have fleece accessories/bedding/blankets). Solitary animal so you don't have twice the poop to clean up.

They just take time to tame. Maybe its just me but I would rather the taming than the poop cleaning.

I don't think the hamster bit your son because he had food smell on his hands if that was the case what excuse could there be for the hamster biting you? I had a hamster that suddenly started to bite and unfortunately kept on doing it.

@hopingforonlychild.. thank you for your advice. He was def having an off day as this morning he was back to his usual friendly self! Don't worry, I won't get rid of him..we really love him. It was just a shock that's all. I didn't know about the food smells so thanks for telling me.
I agree hamsters are amazing pets and so easy to care for compared to say a dog. He was really easy to take too. DS wanted a cat but there's loads in our road and I don't like the way they kill baby birds and poo in my garden!
Here's a pic of him enjoying his new cage!

@12345ct... Thanks for your post. DS does tend to be a bit quick to stick his hand in and grabs him so I've had to re-educate him with how to handle him carefully and gently. What happened with yours in the end? Did he ever stop biting?