question about roan genes

[Gaslord]

Heya, I'm not breeding but I figured the breeding section would have the most info on this!

I adopted a hamster last year through my local animal shelter and he's a lovely little boy. He's a roan, white with just a touch of peach on his head. There were 2 other hamsters up for adoption at the time that were eyeless whites, looked just like him and I think they may be his siblings but I cant find any info on double roan/Wh genes who aren't born eyeless. He seems sort of... runty. He's quite small, much smaller than my female in length even with his big hammy balls giving him an extra inch of length. He has almost no interest in food which meant he was very hard to tame! I did manage to win him over with mealworms in the end though. He's not particularly skinny but is definitely lean. Never pouches anything. The thing that made me think he might be a double roan baby is his teeth are white. His teeth have always been white, and I always check them for decay and they seem fine. I just wanted to know if anyone had any knowledge on this topic and could confirm he resembles a non eyeless double roan hammy!

[souffle]

If he has any colour at all Gaslord he has only the one white belly gene. Two copies are always pure white and eyeless. The most likely reason for his small size and other weaknesses is that he is probably a sibling mating with both lines containing genes that are not strong and making him very small with possible other health issues which have come out due to being carried from both parents. Some hammies teeth are white and it shows a weak enamel covering. The white is less hard than the orange yellow enamel and the teeth prone to breaking and cracking. Keep a close eye on these and check they don't overgrow or are misaligned. This could be a reason for not eating well. Bar chewing is best avoided too. Otherwise he should live a normal hammy life and just need lots of extra TLC. Welcome to HC

[Mama2six]

I am glad you found him. I also have a small, failure-to-thrive hamster. I hope they both live long, healthy lives! And I hope your hamster's poor eyeless siblings have also found a home...

[Gaslord]

Ah good point about his colour souffle! I always check his teeth and he's fortunately never cracked or broken any. When he was new I didn't anticipate that he wouldn't make it very long because he was so consistently disinterested with food. I believe him and all the other hamsters they had at the time were from a hoarders house. He was almost feral.

Mama2six I think they did find a home with the people that were fostering them which is nice The adoption place named them pinky and perky and they had really sweet little faces!

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Young Syrians have white teeth for a spell so may just be your fella is still young enough the enamel has not yet developed enough to tint the teeth. If his teeth are weak then try feeding Porridge or soak his seeds in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften the shells allowing him to open the shells easier. Could also look into block food which if ground up and warm water added makes a very easy to eat meal for even a toothless Hamster. Try to still offer hard food though so he may chew and naturally trim his teeth down to a proper length.

[Gaslord]

I'm unsure of his exact age but I've almost had him a year now and he was definitely a few months old when I adopted him. He has no problems eating, its like he doesn't have much of an appetite? Like I thought their hoarding and pouching instincts were super strong, but he just takes what he needs. I think he's my 14th hamster and I've never had one act like him. I think the 'he's a bit runty and inbred' description is the best guess as to what his deal is, he's been checked by a vet twice and been given the OK both times. Thanks for your ideas and advice though everyone! I'm not too new to post a pic anymore so here is Roy : D

[Nancy's Hamsters]

He's adorable.

[Jenibelle]

He is so sweet looking!

[Elliiy]

lovely photos your hamster is adorable