How can I understand my hamster?

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Hello,
this might be a stupid question, but how do I know if my hamster is stressed or curious or what he exactly wants?
If I take him out from his cage he starts running around and exploring, but then again isn't it a sign of a stress? I cant tell if he likes being outside or not.
How should I know if my hamster likes being outside? I can tell that he doesn't like being in a playpen, because he acts very differently and wants to get out immediately when I put him there. He doesn't do that in a cage.
I've also heard that they run in a hamster ball, because they're stressed, not because they like it. I don't have a hamster ball, by the way and I won't get one.

[Lilafernim]

Hi,

This may help: 23 Hamster Behaviours � - YouTube

It just explains signs of stress and what to look out for. Also, I think people get hamsters balls wrong thinking because they run in it = they must be happy. But if you think if you’ve been put in a tiny room you’d try and get out. They’re running more because it’s the only thing they’re able to do. They have very poor eyesight and great hearing so bang into walls which stresses them out more because they can’t see, and hear the bang much louder. They also can get their feet trapped.

Hamsters tend to be quite skittish so I wouldn’t take this as a sign they’re unhappy if that’s what you’re confused with. If a hamster wasn’t happy they’d bite you so you’d know very quickly. Also pacing in the cage or bar biting is a clear sign they’re not happy with their cage.

Hopefully some of this has helped!