Help me with learning my hamster colours?

[Hekomi]

*NOTE: if using pictures from a source that is not your own please give credit to the owner of the pics or seek permission to use pictures first*
I was wondering if anyone would be patient enough to help me with hamster colours (not the genetic code yet, but I'll work up to that). I want to be able to identify colours by sight.

I know there are websites which show the different colours and I've been using those. But I was wondering if someone would be willing to post a picture of a hamster, and have me try to figure it out, then be willing to correct me and explain how I went wrong (ie. I say cream instead of dove or something).

I'd be really appreciative if anyone would be willing to help! I've learned a lot just by looking but am curious to see if a quiz type style might help me more as well (since googling "cinnamon syrian" gives you the answer right away lol).

[kyrilliondaemon]

I can post pics of our syrians if you'd like? I'm no expert though so if you get it wrong I can't really do much more than tell you the bits I understand myself lol

Incase they help (and in a random order)

1


2


3


4


5

[alyzimm]

Sure thing This will help me, too. I'm good with the grays, but golden/rust/cinnamon/etc. I'm still a bit unsure of.

You can also try to name as much as you can about the hamster. For example, coat pattern and type along with color. I can help with those, too

Shall we start with this hamster?

[Hekomi]

Any help is good help for me Kyrillion! Thank you! If I know the pattern I'll mention it too.

1. Cinnamon banded (I would say rust because it's much brighter, but the red eyes...)

2. Cinnamon solid

3. Golden umbrous solid

4. Sable solid

5. Cinnamon banded as well?

Aly, thank you! All the above looked short haired to me!

That's black eared cream, long haired, likely male with the nice long skirt I believe!

[kyrilliondaemon]

You were right on 1, 2, 4 and 5

3 is actually a melanistic yellow (and yes all my five pics are short haired hams, but 1 and 5 are satin). I think you can tell that because he has no eye rings (not that this pic helps much there) and the undercoat is yellow

[Hekomi]

Ooooh, melanistic yellow? I've never heard of that, how interesting! How do you tell the melanism? I know it shows up on jaguars and makes their yellow appear darker, like black. Does it only show up with yellow, or other colours too?

We don't have Satins up here so I've never seen one in person. Glossier fur right?

[kyrilliondaemon]

Ah ok... Sorry, my hams are apparently nasty starters then lol
Yeah, satins have much shinier fur

I've only heard of melanistic yellows, but I'm no expert.
Here's Muddle again, showing his lack of eye rings better


This might help show the yellow more too

[Hekomi]

Oh wow, that's so neat! And they were great for colours, no worries! I can tell a slight sheen in the coats of the satins but not a whole lot. It must be easier to tell in person. I haven't seen any satins up here... ever. Or rex (but that's not surprising!)

We mostly have cream, cinnamon, golden, sable, black and in self/solid or banded.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'm glad they were good for colours
It is easier to tell the satin in person, their fur feels slightly different to normal too. Since I'm in the UK we have more variety and Muddle is from a breeder so we always had more chance of an unusual colour there

[StarlightSerenity]

Have a go with this one