I think you should beg your mom for like a corn snake or somthing that would really creep her out for about a month, then say Why cant I have a hamster? I think she will think a hamster is much better on her part then a snake . thats what my moms like anywasy!. My hamsters dont stink I have 3!!!! femnale have a distict smell when they go into heat, so if you dont want that get a male hammie!! just clean the cage once a week!! Trust me with 3 hamsters, I think I would have notest the smell by now .