Can Syrian Hamsters change color?

[AshleyLovesToby]

So a few weeks ago I got a new baby hamster after my Toby passed. He ended up being sick once I brought him home, the store I got him from has a policy that allows me to get free vet care. I gave him to the store for care, and then 13 days or so later, I picked him back up. His color seemed to have changed drastically, I asked the wellness manager, he assured it was the same one, especially considering it was/has been the only one in the care room. I've read that sometimes young hamsters can change color as they age. I'll admit that I have my doubts, he might not be Jasper, if he's not, I guess that's okay (I'd not had Jasper more than 2 days, no real time to really feel like he was mine), but nonetheless

Here are before and after pictures



He just woke up, in case you were wondering about his squinty eyes

[Enh98]

I know nothing about if hamsters change color but that is a drastic change in color! I'm willing to bet its a different hamster.

[Skeever]

Okay, Ziggy's fur color has faded from a more yellow ish tint to a much whiter, cream over a four month period. He's also fuller with less scraggly hairs flying every which way. Kind of like fur going grey, or white as he ages. But those two pictures????????

Ziggy looks like the top picture now. Maybe just a tad more of the yellowish tint...but he's got a lot of white. The second picture is a brown/gold/red color. These have to be two different hamsters, based on the picture???

[Shannonmcn]

No way those are the same ham. Sorry friend but you've been duped.

I'd report the hell out of that store. To their head office, trading standards, whoever regulates their veterinary care, anyone you can. That behaviour is completely unacceptable.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Syrians do change a bit but I really don't think those're the same two hams I'm afraid...

[Esmy]

I wonder what gender you got. Can you tell if it's a boy or girl?

[AshleyLovesToby]

Originally Posted by Esmy

I wonder what gender you got. Can you tell if it's a boy or girl?

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

Syrians do change a bit but I really don't think those're the same two hams I'm afraid...

Originally Posted by Shannonmcn

No way those are the same ham. Sorry friend but you've been duped.

I'd report the hell out of that store. To their head office, trading standards, whoever regulates their veterinary care, anyone you can. That behaviour is completely unacceptable.

The pictures make him look lighter and darker than he really is, respectively. Also I checked that he was still (also?) a boy, he is.

[Hekomi]

The first one is black eyes cream and the second is mink, so definitely. Not the same ham.

[NiceCrocs]

It's not unheard of for hams to lighten slightly in the winter months, but there's no way that's the same hamster.

[Shannonmcn]

Seriously this shop needs reported. I hope you're happy with your new little boy because he looks lovely but they can't get away with that.