Help with taming a scared / bitey ham! - UPDATE.

[Melon]

My boyfriends brother bought a male syrian a few weeks ago and he's turned out to be very nasty and absolutely terrified of everything. He will jump onto his back and get ready to bite if you go near the cage and he has bitten a couple of people already - drawing blood in the process.

Now because he is like this, they've decided they don't want anything to do with him and were even thinking about letting him out in the garden! I couldn't let that happen and so have taken up the challenge of having him myself.

The poor thing had a REALLY bad start to his new home (not me... when he was first brought) He chewed through the box he was carried home in, bit the person holding him, who then threw him across the car (!) and he was running around the car floor til they reached home. He was then left running in his exercise ball while they got his cage sorted (after I told them to do it quickly - they hadn't got a clue) THEN a couple of days later he was put into his ball - which broke in half and the ham was chased by a dog around the room.

So not surprising he is scared stiff!

Is it possible that he can be tamed after all of this? If so - what are the best methods for me doing this? He is also VERY fast and will just make a suicide leap if he goes on your knee. I have a playpen thing, which I will try when I get him.... is wearing gloves a good idea? Or does he need to get used to my smell?

Will appreciate any kind of advice!

x x x