How do hamster colourings work?

[EmilyMay]

Helllooooo!

I have a new Syrian hammy joining the family soon- eeeeek so excited! The litter she is going to be from is due Wednesday and I have first pick! I am defo wanting a little girl. Anyway- the mother is a short haired Rex and the father is longhaired(he is absolutely stunning, the mother is gorgeous too) and I was just wondering really how the colourings work? Does it depend on the genes of the mother and father? Say you had two Ivory hamsters, could they produce a black baby? And what are the chances of the babies being longhaired/short haired/mixed? As I know longhaired is the recessive gene. Sorry if this sounds like such a stupid question, lol!

Thank you everybody!
EmilyMay

[Nancy's Hamsters]

OK Question:
1)Say you had two Ivory hamsters, could they produce a black baby?
If both Ivory hamsters have the gene to produce Black Carried(meaning they only have one copy of the gene for Black not two) it is possible for them to have a Black pup. However if one parent doesn't carry the black gene then none of their offspring can be black at all. Since the cream gene(which combined with Dark or Silver Grey makes Ivory) over rides or Masks the Black gene it is completely possible two Ivory hamsters are actually two Ivory Masked Blacks in which case they would produce many Black offspring among Ivory and Dark,or Silver Grey Black siblings.

2)And what are the chances of the babies being longhaired/short haired/mixed?
The Short Haired parent would have to carry the Long Haired gene in order for the litter to have both Long and Short Haired offspring. In order for any offspring to be Rex coated the Long Haired Father must carry the rex coat gene.

3) No question is stupid as the only way we can learn is to ask

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi EmilyMay, and Welcome to HC. Congrats on your soon to arrive ham.