I agree, I think all animals can sense fear or nervousness. It is not always easy to not be nervous though.
I do have a healthy respect for hamsters and I think it goes back to being badly bitten as a child. They (and mice) are probably the only animals that make me nervous. People would seek me out to box their horses at shows, I have worked with nervous, supposedly vicious dogs in the past and will happily pick up any rabbit or guinea pig, regardless of reputation.
I am much more confident handling hamsters now I have so many and in my defence Basil was the first hamster I had owned for about 12/13 years and he did bite me hard, every time I picked him up - even through gloves. I tried all the handling tips on here and other forums to no avail and none of my family were prepared to hold him. I was afraid of him I admit and that is probably why he carried on biting me. I still think he has mellowed with age but I am glad that I can play with him at last.
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