Syrian Hamster - Light Grey Satin

[Pete145rugby]

Hi everyone,

We purchased a new hamster yesterday, after our old and much loved Syrian sadly died a little while ago.

I tried to reach out to my most local breeders, but they may have closed, as I didn't get a response to my emails and messages, so I went for the next best option and we purchased our new ham from a small, local pet-store that seem to have quite low numbers and the hamsters always seem to be well looked after.

I looked for the usual things when buying from a pet-store (happy, inquisitive nature, ability to handle, bright eyes, etc) and this little fella seemed to tick all the boxes (much to the delight of my six year old, as it was the one her was drawn to)!

I do have a couple of questions regarding the colouring. I think it's a Light Grey Satin, 6-7 weeks old (see pics).

Since we got him home, I've looked online and read that grey Syrians can have some genetic health issues, especially spinal problems/defects, and kink tail, neither had I heard of before. I have also read that the life expectancy of greys might be less.

As breeders I was keen to get your view, and see if there's anything in particular I should look out for with a grey?

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Pete

[souffle]

Your hammie is a Sable roan which is a combination of cream, umbrous and the White belly gene. He will likely get browner as he gets older.
These colours are fairly robust (roan is a pattern) so he should require normal hammy care. If you were a breeder he would require careful breeding due to the roan.
He is very cute. He doesn't look satin to me in those particular pics.

[Pete145rugby]

Originally Posted by souffle

Your hammie is a Sable roan which is a combination of cream, umbrous and the White belly gene. He will likely get browner as he gets older

Great, thanks for your confirmation. A few minutes after I posted on the forum I found a great webpage about Roans, and had guessed from the pictures that he looked like a Sable Roan! Great to have it confirmed though, thank you!

Pete

[CMB]

He is lovely. I had a grey hamster and he lived to be about 2 1/2 years old. Hope he settles in well.

[cypher]

Congrats! he really is a very handsome little man!

[Emma Marie]

Aww! He's gorgeous

[Pete145rugby]

Thanks everyone!

He's certainly seems like a sweet hamster. We started to tame him a little tonight (the third night) and he was happy to take treats, even let me pick him up a couple of times for a second or two. But when he was in his tube I offered my hand to see if he'd walk on to it (this taming technique worked well with our last hamster), but as he went to step on to my palm he had a little nibble!

He didn't draw blood, I think he was just exploring the surface. He seemed very happy to keep playing, but later when he climbed in to his tube I tried the same thing and he nibbled again before stepping on.

Is this normal for a young hamster? Our last one didn't do this, so I'm not sure what to do! Maybe try with a glove a few times?

By the way, since found out that he's a sable roan!!

[Ruth Edwards]

He's very pretty. Not surprised your daughter loved him at first sight. The nibbling isn't unusual. One of my hamsters likes to lick people instead.

[cypher]

Nibbling is just a way of exploring new things mostly, not the same as biting, many hams do it when young & everything is new so he'll probably grow out of it soon enough.
If he's not actually biting then I wouldn't use gloves as he won't have the chance to get used to hands if you do that, just be sure to use unscented soap & make sure your hands don't smell of any kind of food!

[Thin Lizzy]

He's blooming gorgeous!