~What do they usually eat? Lab blocks are the best staple diet IMO, the seed mixes can make some hamsters overweight, and they pick out their favorite bits of the mix and therefore don't get a balanced diet. Also, steer cleear of any food made by Kaytee, as there is some speculation that their foods MAY have a cancer-causing agent in them. (Due to their use of the preservative Ethoxyquin)

~What kind of bedding? I've heard some certain kind is bad... cedar was it? Something like that. Cedar and Pine shavings both contain toxic oils called phenols which may cause respiratory infections or long-term lung damage.

~Should hamsters be together in pairs? Or alone? It depends on the type. Dwarves are happier in pairs, while Syrian (or teddy-bear if you'd rather) are solitary.

~Any preference? Male or female? Personally, male syrians. Female syrian hamsters have a certain smell to them, that is not strong but is very unpleasant, at least to me. I personally don't care for dwarf hamsters. I've met a few nice ones, and they're all very cute, but in my experience if any animal is going to bite you it will be a dwarf and it fragging HURTS!

Good luck with your future hammy!