Syrian Hamster Genetics

[WorldofHamsters]

*Note* HCH does not encourage the breeding of hamsters, this is merely just for people interested in genetics. You can go to the breeding and pregnancy tab if you wish to have a conversation about it. Also keep in mind that this does not cover all of the mutations, it only talks about the single gene ones, which can be combined to create more. Anyways, let’s begin!

Terms to know:

Phenotype: The part of the hamster we can see (colour, pattern, fur type, etc)

Genotype: The genotype is presented by the genetic code, and tells us the information about the hamster’s genetics, both seen and unseen

Allele: The genotype is made up by pairs of alleles

Locus: Each pair of alleles belongs to a locus, the locus is represented by a letter symbol, or, since there are two alleles, two letters

Dominant: The hamster only needs one copy of the gene to show. Dominant genes are represented by capital letters, often with a - to show that the hamster only needs one copy of it

Recessive: The hamster needs two copies of the gene to show. Recessive genes are represented by lower case letters.

Heterozygous: The hamster only has one copy of the gene. If the gene is dominant, it will show up, but if it is recessive, it won’t show up, but the hamster will carry it, and if that hamster is paired up with another hamster who either has one or two copies of that gene, some of the offspring will show it.

Homozygous: The hamster has two copies of the gene, and wether or not it is recessive or dominant doesn’t matter, because either way it will show up.

Agouti: The hamster will have agouti markings including dark eye rings, head splotch, cheek flashes, and lighter underside.

Self: The hamster is one solid colour

Colours:

Golden

This is the colour that hamsters come in the wild, and isn’t a mutation as it is the “default” colour. If two hamsters are bred, and neither of them have dominant genes or carry the same recessive genes, the hamster will be golden. It consist of a reddish-brown coat, light grey underside, dark agouti markings and dark eyes. A-

Black

The hamster is black, sometimes growing with age. They will often have a white chin and paws. If any of the silvers are introduced to the lines, they will become more grey, also known as dingy black. aa

Rust

The hamster will look like a golden hamster, except the black pigment will be replaced by brown. bb

Dark-eared white

The hamster will be white with red eyes and dark ears. This gene will mask/cover all other colours. c(d)c(d)

Extreme dilute

The hamster will be much lighter with a nose smudge. c(e)c(e)

Dilute

The hamster will be a litter lighter. dd

Dark grey

A dark grey hamster with very dark or black agouti markings. Sometimes they will have kinked tails and be smaller in size. dgdg

Cream:

A light creamy-yellowish colouration with dark ears and black eyes (separate from red eyed cream) This gene mask/covers other colours. ee

Light grey

A lighter grey hamster with a very slight creamy undertone, is homozygous lethal so all hamsters with two copies of the gene will be absorbed in utero. Lglg

Cinnamon

A orangey coloured hamster with pink ears, red eyes, and grey-blue agouti markings. pp

Silver grey

A silvery coloured hamster with dark agouti markings. In the heterozygous form they will often have a creamy hue. Sg-

Yellow

A sexed linked gene that can only appear on the X chromosome. Males are XY, while females are XX. A male can only have one yellow gene, so if he has it he will be yellow. Males get their singular yellow gene from their mom. Females get one yellow (or non-yellow) gene from each parent. If they get one copy, they are tortoiseshell, if they get two, they are yellow. Yellow often appears like golden but the main coat is lighter. Often the agouti markings will appear lighter as well. Tortoiseshell involves random splotches of yellow. ToY/ToTo/Toto

Umbrous

The hamster will have grey fur tips. U-

Patterns

Banded

A white band around the hamsters middle. Ba-

Dominant spot

The hamster will have white patches, along with a white blaze going up from the nose. The head will be coloured. It is homozygous lethal. Dsds

Recessive dappled

The hamster will have a coloured head and rear, with a blaze coming down from the forehead. rdrd

White belly and roan

If the hamster has two copies of this gene they will be completely white, with deformed eyes, poor teeth, and will also be deaf. With just one copy, on cream based colours it will create a white flecking, while on others it will create a white belly. There will be a red glare to the eyes Wh-

Poly white

It looks like roan, but is recessive, with no dangers, and has black eyes. w(p)w(p)

Fur types (Hairless and chushy are for another day)

Short short

Default Syrian hair type. L-

Long haired

Hamster will have long hair, more obvious in males. ll

Satin

Hamster will have shiny fur, is homozygous form it creates greasy looking, thin, brittle fur. Sa-

Rex

The hamster will have curly fur, eyelashes, and whiskers. rxrx

https://hathorhamstery.weebly.com/basic-genes.html

https://www.facebook.com/ontariohamsters

https://hamstergenetics.weebly.com/

[Kikya]

I love this! I hope you do more on the other species as well!

[WorldofHamsters]

Thank you! I plan on doing Chinese next

[bella33]

This is so awesome!! I am currently getting a biology degree in university and this so cool to look at phenotypes of hamster coat colors!