Syrian Colours!

AmberAutumn · 10-31-2014, 07:13 AM

Hello, it's Amber again.

Autumn is doing so well at the moment! I am really pleased with her progress! Considering the fact on Monday when I got her, she was scared of the tiniest sound I made, she is brave enough to take food from my hand after four days (whilst keeping one foot on the door frame!) Needless to say, she is still very timid, and will run off into her wheel if afraid, or once or twice stand in her defence pose (paw up, mouth open, standing still.) She also nibbles my hand which I expected because she is scared, but I am also learning not to jump or make any sudden movements when she does this. Over all, I am so happy with her!

Going back to the title of this thread: Coat Colours! I think Autumn is a long-haired Yellow Syrian hamster, but I've noticed her ears are pink and not grey, which has made me think she is a Smoke Pearl colour or a cross between the two? It's difficult for me to choose as I haven't been able to take her fully out yet to examine her.

I will insert a couple of photos, so hopefully you guys can help me out!

~Amber and Autumn

BrainGirl · 10-31-2014, 07:25 AM

I'm not good at all with the more exotic Syrian colours, but she is beautiful! Just though I'd mention that she's going to need a larger wheel very soon, you can see that already her back is almost touching the spindle and that could rip fur out, plus the curvature of the track can make it painful to her back

SinNyx · 10-31-2014, 07:34 AM

I'd have to take a guess at her being a cinnamon. She is very pretty. Definitely not a smoke pearl and I don't think a yellow - there is no cross between them either.

She will need a bigger cage and wheel though soon. Hamsters need a minimum of 75x40cm of unbroken floor space in their cage, and at least at 8" or 11" wheel. They are very active animals, and modular cages like yours aren't designed for the hamster, more for sales for pet shops. As her back is arching on the wheel it could also be hurting her.

Hekomi · 10-31-2014, 07:35 AM

Usually yellows have dark ears, and that's one of the ways you can distinguish it from BEC if it's poorly marked, at least when they're little.

Are her eyes red or ruby at all? Can you see any undercoat, and if so, what colour?

I have some ideas, such as yellow, but the ears don't fit it.

AmberAutumn · 10-31-2014, 08:06 AM

She has dark eyes, and a dark undercoat I think but it's difficult to tell as I am unable to get her out properly to look at her yet!

AmberAutumn · 10-31-2014, 08:10 AM

I was concerned about that too, but at the time of buying her I actually didn't have an intention of buying a hamster at all as I'd just lost a dwarf, so I wasn't in any way prepared for a Syrian...however I am planning on buying a large Flying Saucer wheel for her when I get back to uni, and I have more cages which add on to this one which will give her more space.

Hekomi · 10-31-2014, 08:15 AM

I do think she is likely cinnamon, but given I can't see red eyes, or a grey undercoat ATM, I'd love to see more angles/pics/etc.

Sin is right about bigger wheel/cage. For now, it might be worth it to take out the wheel so she doesn't hurt herself, and offer her lots of time playing outside.

NiceCrocs · 10-31-2014, 08:24 AM

I'm not great with colors, but she looks quite a lot like my Margo, but a bit darker. My bet would be cinnamon, as Margo is cinnamon, but she doesn't have the dark undercoat that usually comes with it. Try taking a picture of her with a camera flash, if her eyes have a red flash it should mean she has the gene for cinnamon

(I think :/ haha I'm really a beginner with syrian genetics xD)

Definitely you'll want a bigger cage very very soon. You can make a great bin cage for about $10 or get a glass tank secondhand for cheap, both make vastly better cages than rotastacks, and you'll be able to fit an 11 inch wheel like a grown syrian needs

ETA: picture of Margo included for comparison

AmberAutumn · 10-31-2014, 08:30 AM

Thank you

I will try the flash idea when she's a little more comfortable here.

At the moment, I am planning on convincing my parents for an Ikea Detolf glass cabinit to use as a cage, but that won't probably be until Christmas! Although she will be moving to uni with me tomorrow and she has other cages there which attach.

I've also asked my Dad after reading these comments, to make an attachment to an old bin cage I have to add to the Rotastack so she'll have even more room, which will fit an 11'' wheel inside.

AmberAutumn · 10-31-2014, 08:35 AM

Margo is adorable by the way! Sorry I didn't notice your photo to start with! Does she have grey ears? As Autumn's ears are pink and she has a darker undercoat I think.