Seems like agouti colours is not the end for Syrian hamsters! Today we will be looking at self colours. So what’s the difference between agouti and self?  Agouti colours have cheekflashes, ivory cresents, may have tickings and with an ivory belly but self colours same colour all over (top and belly) with no agouti markings on them. Now let’s compare –

 

These two pictures speak for themselves eh? Now to the colours! 

Note:

• Some pictures from other sources are self credited in the picture itself.
• Pictures are credited accordingly to the owner(s).
• Descriptions are of show hamster. There may be variation for some colours. Ruby-eyed Cream picture cannot be found due to it’s rarity.

 

 

 

Colour: Black

Genotype: aa

Phenotype: Black to the roots, white feet permissible. Other markings not allowed.

Remarks: Cream gene covers black.

 

 

 

*Credits to NHC

Colour: Chocolate

Genotype: aabb

Phenotype: Dark chocolate brown

Remarks: Very rare

 

*Credits to NHC

Colour: Copper

Genotype: UUbbeepp

Phenotype: Rich clear copper to the roots, garnet eyes

Remarks: Extremely rare (Picture shows copper banded, do not get confused with the colour)

 

 

Colour: Black-eyed Cream

Genotype: ee

Phenotype: Deep rich cream to the roots

Remarks: Mask yellow and black gene. Known as ‘ghost yellow’ and ‘masked black’ respectively if gene is present.

 

*Credits to NHC

Colour: Red-eyed Cream

Genotype: eepp

Phenotype: Deep rich pinkish cream to the roots

Remarks:

 

Colour:Ruby-eyed Cream

Genotype: eeruru

Phenotype: Warm pastel cream to the roots

Remarks: Extremely rare. Male ruby-eyed will be sterile after 10 weeks, which is why ruby-eyed hamsters are extremely rare

 

 

Colour: Black-eyed Ivory

Genotype: dgdgee/Lglgee/Sgsgee

Phenotype: Pale greyish cream to the roots

Remarks: If ancestry is unknown, it is very difficult to determine which ‘Grey’ gene the hamster has. Though breeding with pure grey will determine the colour, but be aware of the problems with the three grey genes.

 

 

Colour: Red-eyed Ivory

Genotype: dgdgeepp/Lglgeepp/Sgsgeepp

Phenotype: Pale greyish cream to the roots

Remarks: Very rare

 

 

Colour: Sable

Genotype: UUee

Phenotype: Ideally black or dark in colour with cream undercoat and cream ringed eyes

Remarks: Only cream gene is affected by UU(umbrous) and a new colour is formed – sable. Other genes do not produce a new colour.

 

 

Colour: Mink

Genotype: UUeepp

Phenotype: Warm mid brown with an orange tinge. Cream ringed eyes, red eyes

Remarks:

 

 

Colour: Blue Mink

Genotype: UUdgdgeepp

Phenotype: Purple blue

Remarks: Extremely rare

 

*Credits to isold at Hamster Central Forum

Colour: Dove

Genotype: aapp

Phenotype: Dove grey with a deep lilac tone to the roots, claret red eyes

Remarks:

 

 

Colour: Champagne

Genotype: aappbb

Phenotype: Pale beige

Remarks: Very rare

 

 

Colour: Melanistic Yellow (Yellow Black)

Genotype: aaToto(male)/aaToTo(Female)

Phenotype: Black tipping to each hair carried ¼ of the way down to rich dusky yellow

Remarks: Ticking is heavy and throughout the whole hamster, even the belly.

 

*Credits to SHC

Colour: Black-eyed White

Genotype: eeDsd/eeWhwh

Phenotype: White to the roots

Remarks: May be Banded too (Baba). Is not true albino.

 

 

Colour: Flesh Eared White

Genotype: c^dc^dpp

Phenotype: White to the roots, bright clear pink

Remarks: cd is Acromelanic  recessive gene, will mask ALL colours. Avoid breeding with wh gene. Is not true albino

 

 

Colour: Dark Eared White

Genotype: c^dc^d

Phenotype: White to the roots, bright clear pink

Remarks: Eye colour darkens with age. Is not true albino

 

Confused with the white hamsters? Fear not explanation is on the way~

The Recessive mutation at the C locus in some other species is c (without any superscript). Only the cc genotype results in true albinism. The related mutations seen in Syrians (written with the d or e superscripts to designate them as different alleles from c) allow partial pigmentation. Since these hamsters are not totally devoid of pigment, they are not true albinos.

New! (edited)

In recent events there is a new mutation appearing… and it is known as Blue. Note that it is still new but I would like to share with you guys first.

*credits to My Furry Little Secret

Colour: Blue

Genotype: dd

Phenotype: Deep dark grey

Remarks: Insufficient information. New mutation.

 

More pictures –

*credits to Hamstery ‘the blue’

There are more pictures on this new mutation on http://syrian.bluehamsters.com/about-2/ and

background information (eg how they discover it and developments) at

http://www.hamsterzucht.com/infos/zucht-genetik-farben/blaue-hamster/

~End of edit~

 

 

In this week’s post, there are more complications and genetic diseases coming up. But to understand them better on what is happening… stay tune ;D

PS: I won’t go into that first though, the colours have not finished! Up next will be the coat patterns and coat types which makes Syrian hamster so beautiful and lots of variation.

PS: If you do have any pictures of the hamsters which you think is glorious and magnificent please feel free to send to theonepet@gmail.com. I will give you credits if the picture is taken by yourself =)