Ram, when the girls were younger we started with two baby corn snakes. Their size was small enough so the girls weren't afraid to hold them. By the time the snakes were bigger they were used to handling them and then we got a suriname red tail boa, which the girls fell in love with. They would just sit and watch tv and chill out with the snake.
Since then we have added to our collection with carpet pythons and tree pythons, plus one emerald tree boa. There are some snakes that the girls have no interest in and we don't push that. But when they ask to hold one, or want to help clean out cages, our even just watch us interact with the snakes we encourage their interest and their questions.
As for the hamster, he was a poorly thought out christmas present she received. He spends his time in his wheel so in order to get to him you have to dismantle the whole cage. Because of this she wasnt holding him enough. With any animal they need constant interaction to get used to you. This is a good e example of making sure you are willing to take on the responsibility of assn animal before you bring it into your home. Unfortunately we didn't know she was getting one until she came home with it.
