Hamsters are mammals, which means they are warm-blooded and they produce milk for their young.

They belong to the rodent family. Rodents have two long, front teeth (called incisors) that never stop growing. All rodents must constantly gnaw at things to wear these teeth down and keep them at the right length.

It is a good idea to find out about hamsters before you go looking for one.

Try and save your pocket money so you can buy your hamster the biggest cage you can afford.

Look for a cage that is easy to clean and check the doors are secure. You need a layer of newspaper and then wood shavings on the cage floor and some bedding for the hamster to make a nest.

Lastly, find a good place to put the cage, away from draughts and radiators.

The cage should be cleaned at least once a week. Your hamster will keep a corner of the cage to pee in, so this part needs cleaning daily. Leave a little of the old bedding in the clean cage along with some fresh bedding.

You don’t need to groom or wash hamsters as they wash themselves.

Hamsters are nocturnal. This means they are awake at night and sleep in the day so remember that, if you place the cage in your bedroom, you might be kept awake at night.

There are many different species of hamster. Pet hamsters are usually Syrian hamsters (known as golden hamsters), but other varieties include Chinese, Russian and European.

In the wild, most live in burrows underground. The burrows are made up of lots tunnels leading to food stores or places to sleep. This is why pet hamsters like burrowing in their bedding and storing food.

If Hammy scratches and digs in the cage, he is thinking:
"I wish my owner would give me a box filled with sand and newspaper for me to dig in. It would just be like living in the wild where my relations dig tunnels."

If Hammy stands very still, he is thinking:
"I can hear something so, if I stand still, whatever it is might not see me."

If Hammy rubs his body against the cage, he is thinking:
"This is my cage so if there are any animals around then don't come near!"

If Hammy's teeth chatter, he is thinking:
"By gosh! I'm really irritated. I got out of my nest the wrong way this evening so please leave me alone or I may bite you!"

Your hamster needs water at all times. It is best to attach a special water bottle to the cage rather than a water bowl.

You can buy hamster food from the pet shop. You can also buy treats for your hamster but you should only give them occasionally.

Hamsters have cheek pouches, which they use to collect food. They push the food into the pouches, which swell. The hamsters then carry the food to their store where they will empty their pouches.

You should regularly check your hamster for any signs of illness.

Look for fur loss, lumps and bumps, a wet tail, wheezing, loss of weight, and overgrown teeth.

If you suspect your hamster is ill then take it to your vet immediately.

Hamsters usually live for about two years.

Baby hamsters are called puppies.

Hamsters have very poor eyesight.

Hamsters have a good sense of smell and excellent hearing.

Syrian hamsters like to live on their own and will fight if they are kept in the same cage.

Russian hamsters will live happily in pairs or groups.