You are on page 1of 32

Hamster Genes

2010

Single Genes
Albino Opal Argente Black Argente Black Eye
(cc) (dd) (pp) (aa) (bb)

Two Genes
Blue Fawn Lilac Fawn Blue Dove Beige Chocolate
(ddpp) (bbdd) (aadd) (aapp) (bbpp) (aabb)

Three Genes
Lilac Red Eye Lilac Black Eye Blue Beige Dark Beige
(aaddpp) (aabbdd) (bbddpp) (aabbpp)

Four Genes
Champagne
(aabbddpp)

Pattern and Coat Types


Dilute Platinum (BEW and
Mottled Platinum Satin
REW)

1
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Albino Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

The albino gene (cc) is a recessive gene. Being recessive means that a hamster needs two of these genes (one
from each parent) to have the albino coloration. The albino gene can be carried recessively and not show up in the
coat at all. Breeding to an albino or to another hamster carrying the albino gene, though, will produce some albino
babies.

The albino gene is unique among the recessive Campbells genes. It "masks" other colors. That means that any
hamster that has two albino genes (one from each parent) will always be albino in color. Thus, there are no
combined colors with albino. Let's take an example. Suppose a hamster has two opal and two black genes, the
resulting color would be the combined color of blue. If a hamster has two albino genes and two black genes,
instead of being a combined color, he will be albino since the albino "masks" the black color.

2
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Opal Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

The opal gene (dd) is a recessive gene. Being recessive means that a hamster needs two of these genes (one from
each parent) to have the opal coloration. The opal gene can be carried recessively and not show up in the coat at
all. Breeding to an opal or to another hamster carrying the opal gene, though, will produce some opal babies.

3
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Argente Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

The argente gene (pp) is a recessive gene. Being recessive means that a hamster needs two of these genes (one
from each parent) to have the argente coloration. The argente gene can be carried recessively and not show up in
the coat at all. Breeding to an argente or to another hamster carrying the argente gene, though, will produce
some argente babies.

There is a lot of variation in the argente color depending on what region of the world you live in. Also, there is
sometimes confusion about the argente and the black-eyed argente genes. These are two totally separate genes
even though they share the term "argente." Mating an argente to a black-eyed argente will give all normals
carrying these two genes but no argentes with either black or red eyes. (See the page on the color beige to learn
more about the combined argente and black-eyed argente color.)

4
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

5
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Black Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Black Silvering Mottled Dwarf Heavily Silvered Black Dwarf The black gene (aa) is a recessive gene. Being recessive
means that a hamster needs two of these genes (one from each parent) to have the black coloration. The black
gene can be carried recessively and not show up in the coat at all. Breeding to a black or to another hamster
carrying the black gene, though, will produce some black babies.

The black gene is unique among the hamster genes. All hamsters with two black genes (which includes the blacks
as well as the combined colors using black such as blue and dove) will silver with age. Some silver very early while
some silver only late in life. It is not yet known if this silvering is a different gene or if it is part of the black gene. If
it is another gene, it is closely linked to the black gene. Tests are underway right now to try to better understand
the relationship between the black and the silvering.

6
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

This is a picture of a so-called dilute black hamster. Some people believe that the paleness of the black on these
animals is due to the dilute gene -- the same gene which causes dilute platinums. My experience does not show
this, but I cannot prove it conclusively. Many people, including myself, consider these to be blacks with poor color
quality. These animals are rarely kept for breeding but are instead pushed into the pet market where they are very
popular.

7
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Black-eyed Argente Dwarf Hamsters

The black-eyed argente gene (bb) is a recessive gene. Being recessive means that a hamster needs two of these
genes (one from each parent) to have the black-eyed argente coloration. The black-eyed argente gene can be
carried recessively and not show up in the coat at all. Breeding to a black-eyed argente or to another hamster
carrying the black-eyed argente gene, though, will produce some black-eyed argente babies.

There is a lot of variation in the black-eyed argente color depending on what region of the world you live in. Also,
there is sometimes confusion about the argente and the black-eyed argente genes. These are two totally separate
genes even though they share the term "argente." Mating an argente to a black-eyed argente will give all normals
carrying these two genes but no argentes with either black or red eyes. (See the page on the color beige to learn
more about the combined argente and black-eyed argente color.)

8
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Blue Fawn Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Blue fawn (ddpp) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the opal and argente genes. Since both of
these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to be a blue fawn. It is not
difficult to breed blue fawns if you have both an opal and an argente hamster -- but you must have both genes. To
get blue fawns, you would breed the opal to the argente. All babies would be normal carrying opal and argente.
You would then breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16
normals, 3/16 opals, 3/16 argentes, and 1/16 blue fawns. (It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with
animals who only carry these genes.)

All blue fawns are agouti. Agouti hamsters have an off-white belly and scallops on their sides. Their hairs are
actually banded which is most easily seen by the fact that each hair is a different color at the roots (undercoat)
than on the tips.

9
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Lilac Fawn Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Lilac fawn (bbdd) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the opal and black-eyed argente (BEA) genes.
Since both of these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to be a lilac
fawn. It is not difficult to breed lilac fawns if you have both an opal and a BEA -- but you must have both genes. To
get lilac fawns, you would breed the opal to the BEA. All babies would be normal carry opal and BEA. You would
then breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you should get 9/16 normals, 3/16 opals, 3/16 BEAs,
and 1/16 lilac fawns. (It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with aniamls who only carry these genes.)

All lilacfawns are agouti -- which is the original pattern of hamsters in the wild. Agouti hamsters have off-white
bellies and scallops on the side. Their hairs are also a different color at the roots (undercoat) than on the tips.

10
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Blue Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Blue (aadd) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the opal and black genes. Since both of these colors
are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to appear blue. It is not difficult to breed
blues if you have both an opal and a black hamster -- but you must have both genes. To get blues, you would

11
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
breed the opal to the black. All babies would be normal carrying opal and black. You would then breed two of
these normals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16 normals, 3/16 opals, 3/16 blacks,
and 1/16 blues. (It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with animals who only carry these genes.)

Due to the silvering nature of the black gene, all blues will silver. Some silver early while others silver later in life.
Also due to the black gene, all blues are self. Self colored hamsters are the same color all over (belly and back)
with no scallops on the side. Most also have white paws and a chin stripe while some have white patches on their
bellies too.

12
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Dove Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Dove (aapp) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the argente and black genes. Since both of theses
colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to appear dove. It is not difficult to
breed doves if you have both an argente and a black hamster -- but you must have both genes. To get doves, you
would breed the argente to the black. All babies would be normal carrying argente and black. You would then
breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16 normals, 3/16
argentes, 3/16 blacks, and 1/16 doves. (It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with animals who only carry
these genes.)

Due to the silvering nature of the black gene, all doves will silver. Some silver early while others silver later in life.
Also due to the black gene, all doves are self. Self colored hamsters are the same color all over (belly and back)
with no scallops on the sides. Most also have white paws and a chin stripe while some have white patches on their
bellies too.

The doves should be a rich brown color and will have red eyes due to the argente gene. They look very similar to
the chocolate dwarves with the exception of the eye color.

13
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Beige Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Beige (bbpp) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the argente and black-eyed argente (BEA) genes.
Since both of these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to be beige. It is
not difficult to breed beiges if you have both an argente and a BEA hamster -- but you must have both genes. To
get beiges, you would breed the red-eyed argente to the black-eyed argente. All babies would be normal carrying
argente and BEA. You would then breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you should get 9/16
normals, 3/16 argentes, 3/16 BEAs, and 1/16 lilac fawns. (It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with animals
who only carry these genes.)

All beiges are agouti -- which is the original pattern of hamsters in the wild. Agouti hamsters have off-white bellies
and scallops on their sides. Their hairs are also a different color at the roots (undercoat) than at the tips.

14
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Chocolate Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Chocolate (aabb) is the two-gene color which is the combination of the black-eyed argente (BEA) and black genes.
Since both of these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of both of these genes to appear
chocolate. It is not difficult to breed chocolates if you have both a BEA and a black hamster -- but you must have
both genes. To get chocolates, you would breed the BEA to the black. All babies would be normal carrying BEA
and black. You would then breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately
9/16 normals, 3/16 BEAs, 3/16 blacks, and 1/16 chocolates. (It is a bit trickeir but still doable if you start with
animals who only carry these genes.)

Due to the silvering nature of the black gene, all chocolates will silver. Some silver early while others silver later in
life. Also due to the black gene, all chocolates are self. Self colored hamsters are the same color all over (belly and
back) with no scallops on the side. Most also have white paws and a chin stripe while some have white patches on
their bellies too.

The chocolates should be a rich dark brown. They are very similar in color to the doves except that the chocolates
have black eyes.

15
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Red-eyed Lilac Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Red-eyed Lilac (RE Lilac -- aaddpp) is the three-gene color which is the combination of the opal, red-eyed argente,
and black genes. Since all three of these colors genes are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of each of
these genes to appear RE Lilac. It is not difficult to breed a RE Lilac if you have the three genes -- but you must
have all three genes. It is always easiest, though, to start with two two-gene colors which have one gene
overlapping. Then you can both predict what you get and recongize the colors when you get them. It is also easier
to know what genes your babies will carry when you start with a two-gene color and add the third gene.

To breed an RE Lilac, you would start with two different two-gene colors like blue fawn and blue (dove works
equally as well if you make the substitutions). Between them you need to cover the three genes needed for RE
Lilac with one color overlapping. Since blue fawn is the two-gene color for opal and red-eyed argente, you are only
missing the black gene to get RE Lilac. Since blue is the two-gene color for opal and black, you are only missing the
red-eyed argente gene to get to RE Lilac. So you would breed the blue fawn to the blue with opal being the
overlapping gene. All babies would be opal carrying RE argente and black. You would then breed two of these
opals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16 opals, 3/16 blue fawns, 3/16 blues, and 1/16
RE Lilac.

It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with a two-gene color and a one-gene color. Let's take the example of
breeding a blue to an argente (red-eyed). Blue is the two-gene color for opal and black. If you breed a blue to an
argente, you should get all normals carrying opal, black, and argente.You then breed two of these normals
together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 27/64 normals, 9/64 opals, 9/64 black, 9/64 argente,

16
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
3/64 blue, 3/64 dove, 3/64 blue fawn, and 1/64 RE Lilac. As you can see, it can take a lot of litters to get to RE Lilac
this way with a lot of other colors popping up along the way. The reality is that with a single pair you may never
get an RE Lilac since these are all statistics. Again, it is preferable to start with two different two gene colors
instead.

17
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Black-eyed Lilac Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Black-eyed Lilac (BE Lilac -- aabbdd) is the three-gene color which is the combination of the opal, black-eyed
argente (BEA), and black genes. Since all three of these colors genes are recessive, the hamster must have two
copies of each of these genes to appear BE Lilac. It is not difficult to breed a BE Lilac if you have the three genes --
but you must have all three genes. It is always easiest, though, to start with two two-gene colors which have one
gene overlapping. Then you can both predict what you get and recongize the colors when you get them. It is also
easier to know what genes your babies will carry when you start with a two-gene color and add the third gene.

To breed an BE Lilac, you would start with two different two-gene colors like lilac fawn and blue (chocolate works
equally as well if you make the substitutions). Between them you need to cover the three genes needed for BE
Lilac with one color overlapping. Since lilac fawn is the two-gene color for opal and black-eyed argente, you are
only missing the black gene to get BE Lilac. Since blue is the two-gene color for opal and black, you are only
missing the black-eyed argente gene to get to BE Lilac. So you would breed the lilac fawn to the blue with opal
being the overlapping gene. All babies would be opal carrying BEA and black. You would then breed two of these
opals together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16 opals, 3/16 lilac fawns, 3/16 blues, and 1/16
BE Lilac.

It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with a two-gene color and a one-gene color. Let's take the example of
breeding a blue to a BEA. Blue is the two-gene color for opal and black. If you breed a blue to a BEA, you should
get all normals carrying opal, black, and BEA.You then breed two of these normals together. From this pairing, you
should get approximately 27/64 normals, 9/64 opals, 9/64 black, 9/64 BEA, 3/64 blue, 3/64 chocolate, 3/64 lilac
fawn, and 1/64 BE Lilac. As you can see, it can take a lot of litters to get to BE Lilac this way with a lot of other
colors popping up along the way. The reality is that with a single pair you may never get an BE Lilac since these are
all statistics. Again, it is preferable to start with two different two gene colors instead.

18
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Blue Beige Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Blue beige (bbddpp) is the three-gene color which is the combination of the opal, red-eyed argente, and black-
eyed argente genes. Since all three of these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of each of
these genes to appear blue beige. It is not difficult to breed a blue beige if you have the three genes -- but you
must have all three genes. It is always easiest, though, to start with two two-gene colors which have one gene
overlapping. Then you can both predict what you get and recognize the colors when you get them. It is also easier
to know what genes your babies will carry when you start with a two-gene color and add the third gene.

To breed a blue beige, you would start with two different two-gene colors like blue fawn and lilac fawn (beige
works equally as well if you just make substitutions). Between them, you need to cover the three genes needed
for blue beige with one color overlapping. Since blue fawn is the two-gene color for opal and red-eyed argente,
you are only missing the black-eyed argente gene to get to blue beige. Since lilac fawn is the two-gene color of
opal and black-eyed argente, you are only missing the red-eyed argente gene to get to blue beige. So you would

19
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
breed the blue fawn to the lilac fawn with opal being the overlapping gene. All babies would be opal carrying RE
argente and BE argente. You would then breed two of these opals together. From this pairing, you should get
approximately 9/16 opals, 3/16 blue fawns, 3/16 lilac fawns, and 1/16 blue beige.

It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with a two-gene color and a one gene color. Let's take the example of
breeding a beige to an opal. Beige is the two-gene color for RE argente and BE argente. If you breed a beige to an
opal, you should get all normals carrying RE argente, BE argente, and opal. You then breed two of these normals
together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 27/64 normals, 9/64 RE argente, 9/64 BE argente, 9/64
opal, 3/64 beige, 3/64 blue fawn, 3/64 lilac fawn, and 1/64 blue beige. As you can see, it can take a lot of litters to
get to blue beige this way with a lot of other colors popping up along the way. The reality is that with a single pair
you may never get a blue beige since these are all statistics. Again, it is preferable to start with two different two
gene colors instead.

20
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Dark Beige Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Dark beige (aabbpp) is the three-gene color which is the combination of the red-eyed argente, black-eyed argente,
and black genes. Since all three of these colors are recessive, the hamster must have two copies of each of these
genes to appear dark beige. It is not difficult to breed a dark beige if you have the three genes -- but you must
have all three genes. It is always easiest, though, to start with two two-gene colors which have one gene
overlapping. Then you can both predict what you get and recongize the colors when you get them. It is also easier
to know what genes your babies will carry when you start with a two-gene color and add the third gene.

To breed a dark beige, you would start with two different two-gene colors like beige and dove (chocolate works
equally as well if you make the substitution). Between them, you need to cover the three genes needed for dark
beige with one color overlapping. Since beige is the two-gene color for red-eyed argente and black-eyed argente,
you are only missing the black gene to get dark beige. Since dove is the two-gene color for red-eyed argente and
black, you are only missing the black-eyed argente gene to get to dark beige. So you would breed the beige to the
dove with red-eyed argente being the overlapping gene. All babies would be red-eyed argente carrying black-eyed
argente and black. You would then breed two of these argentes together. From this pairing, you should get
approximately 9/16 argentes, 3/16 beige, 3/16 dove, and 1/16 dark beige.

21
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

It is a bit trickier but still doable if you start with a two-gene color and a one-gene color. Let's take the example of
breeding a beige to a black. Beige is the two-gene color for RE argente and BE argente. If you breed a beige to a
black, you should get all normals carrying RE argente, BE argente, and black. You then breed two of these normals
together. From this pairing, you should get approxmiately 27/64 normals, 9/64 RE argente, 9/64 BE argente, 9/64
black, 3/64 beige, 3/64 dove, 3/64 chocolate, and 1/64 dark beige. As you can see, it can take a lot of litters to get
to the dark beige this way with a lot of other colors popping up along the way. The reality is that with a single pair
you may never get a dark beige since these are all statistics. Again, it is preferable to start with two different two-
gene colors instead.

22
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Champagne Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Champagne (aabbddpp) is the four-gene color. It is the combination of all four of the currently known color genes
in the Campbells: Opal, Argente, Black-eyed Argente, and Black. Since all of these colors are recessive, the
hamsters must have two copies of each of these genes to appear Champagne. It is not difficult to breed a
Champagne if you have all four combinable color genes -- but you must have all four of the genes. It is always
easiest to only add one gene at a time. Thus, it is best to start with any two three-gene colors which will have one
overlapping gene. Then you can also predict what you get and recognize the colors when you get them (which is
not trivial with these newer colors). It is also easier to know what genes your babies carry when you start with two
three-gene colors.

To breed a Champagne, you would start with two different three-gene colors like Red-eyed Lilac (RE Lilac) and Blue
Beige (Dark Beige or Black-eyed Lilac work equally as well if you make the substitutions). Between these two
hamsters, you cover all four of the combinable Campbells color genes. Since RE Lilac is the combined color for
Black, Opal, and Argente, you are only missing the Black-eyed Argente gene to get to Champagne. Since Blue Beige
is the combined color for Opal, Argente, and Black-eyed Argente, you are only missing the Black gene to get to

23
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Champagne.

So you would breed the RE Lilac to the Blue Beige. Since Opal and Argente are the overlapping colors, you should
get all Blue Fawn babies carrying Black and Black-eyed Argente. You would then breed two of these Blue Fawn
babies together. From this pairing, you should get approximately 9/16 Blue Fawns, 3/16 RE Lilac, 3/16 Blue Beige,
and 1/16 Champagne.

It is a bit trickeir but still doable if you start with a three-gene color and a two-gene color. Let's take the example
of breeding an RE Lilac to a Beige. RE Lilac is the three gene color for Opal, Black, and Argente. Beige is the two-
gene color for Argente and Black-eyed argente. All four of the combinable color genes are represented. So if you
breed the RE Lilac to the Beige, you should get all Argentes carrying Opal, Black, and Black-eyed Argente. You then
breed two of these Argentes together. From this pairing of argentes, you should get approximately 27/64
Argentes, 9/64 Beige, 9/64 Dove, 9/64 Blue Fawn, 3/64 RE Lilac, 3/64 Dark Beige, 3/64 Blue Beige, and 1/64
Champagne.

As you can see, it can take a lot of litters to get to Champagne this way with a lot of other colors popping up along
the way. The reality is that with a single pair, you may never get a blue beige since these are all statistics. Again, it
is preferable to start with two different three-gene colors instead. Starting with two different two-gene colors only
makes the process more complicated and with a lesser chance to get to Champagne.

24
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Mottled Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Blue Fawn Mottled | Normal Mottled

Opal Mottled | Normal Mottled | Argente Mottled

Opal Mottled | Blue Mottled Silvered / Platinum

25
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

The mottled gene is a dominant gene. Being dominant means that a hamster only needs one of these genes, and
he will have the mottled pattern. It also means that the gene cannot be carried.

There are two genes in the mottleds: the regular gene and the ruby-eyed gene. The ruby eyed gene can occur in
hamsters with red eyes (like argentes) and in hamsters with black eyes (like opals). The only easy way to see this
gene is in the black-eyed hamsters. If you shine a flashlight (torch) in their eyes, you can see the ruby glow.

You need to know if your mottleds have this dominant ruby-eyed gene or not. If they have it (as mine do), you
need to avoid breeding two ruby-eyed mottleds together. The reason is that the 25% of the babies will receive
two ruby-eyed genes (one from each parent). These babies will be toothless/eyeless whites. Most die at about
two weeks of age since they cannot make the switch from milk to solid food due to their lack of teeth. This can be
avoided by only breeding ruby-eyed mottleds to unpatterned or to platinum dwarves.

Below is a picture of two eyeless/toothless whites the day before they died. Even the rare one who does survive
multiple months will stay this same runty size. These five are all littermates.

26
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Platinum Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Normal Platinum | Blue Fawn Platinum

Opal Platinum

Normal Platinum | Argente Platinum

27
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

Opal Platinum | Normal and Black Platinum

The platinum gene is a dominant and lethal gene. Being dominant means that a hamster only needs one of these
genes, and he will have the platinum pattern. It also means that the gene cannot be carried.

The lethal part of the gene means that there are no hamsters with two platinum genes. All have one platinum and
one non-platinum gene. Those hamsters who did have two platinum genes (got one from each parent) die in the
womb and are reabsorbed by the mother. It does her no harm. It does mean that the number of babies in litters
born to two platinums are 25% smaller on average than those born to a platinum and a non-platinum. The
surviving babies are entirely healthy and normal, however, and can be bred or kept as pets without any concern
for health problems (beyond those of any Campbells).

Platinums can range from mostly colored with very few white hairs to mostly white with very few colored hairs. In
the extreme, a Dilute Platinum is an entirely white hamster.

28
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Dilute Platinum Dwarf Hamsters
Sometimes called black-eyed or red-eyed whites

Dilute Opal Platinum

Dilute Blue Fawn Platinum

The dilute platinum is believed to be the combination of the platinum gene and the dilute gene. The platinum
gene is a dominant, homozygous lethal gene and is discussed on the platinum page. The dilute gene is one of the
least understood of the Campbells genes. It has not yet even been documented as a gene or given a genetic
symbol, but it is believe to be a recessive gene.

One of the reasons that it is so hard to understand the dilute is that it is really only visible with two other genes:
the platinum gene and potentially the black gene. As you can see above with the platinum gene, it removes all
color. You are left with a totally white hamster with either black or red eyes depending on the genetic make-up of
the hamster. The red-eyed can easily be confused with Albinos, and indeed they are impossible to differentiate by
phenotype alone. Knowing the pedigree or doing test matings may be the only way to differentiate a red-eyed
dilute platinum from an Albino.

29
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Dilute black hamsters are a lighter black color, and this may or may not be due to the same gene which causes the
lightening in dilute platinums. Personally, my experience leads me to believe that there is not a connection to the
dilute platinums, but I have not been able to prove it conclusively. On these so-called dilute blacks, much of the
brown color of the normal color shows through. Most breeders will not keep these for breeding but will push
them into the pet stock where they are very popular. Some breeders have succeeded in significantly darkening the
color of their blacks by only keeping the darkest and blackest blacks for further breeding.

Dilute blacks should not be confused with the silvering in the blacks. The silvering causes white hairs to be mixed
with the black almost giving the appearance of a hamster who is going gray. With dilute blacks, there is a
brownish-black color. Some actually look more like normals who have rolled in soot.

This is an example of a so-called Dilute Black. You can see that he is far from jet black with a lot of brown showing
through the coat. Few breeders would keep these animals, but they are popular among pet owners.

30
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010
Satin Campbells Dwarf Hamsters

Blue Fawn Satin

Opal Satin | Opal Platinum Satin

31
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html
Hamster Genes
2010

Opal Platinum and Opal Satins

Normal Mottled Satin

The satin gene is a recessive gene in the Campbells (unlike the satin gene in syrians which is dominant). Being
recessive means that a hamster needs two of these genes (one from each parent) to have the satin coat. The satin
gene can be carried recessively and not show up in the coat at all. Breeding to a satin or to another hamster
carrying the satin gene, though, will produce some satin babies.

The satin coat can appear in combination with any color and/or any pattern. Thus, there are opal satins, opal
mottled satins, opal platinum satins, etc. Some people have believed that their hamsters were sick since they
always look wet. This is just the nature of this coat type. The hair tends to be a bit longer and thinner also. These
hamsters have sometimes been called "silkies" although this is purely a nickname.

32
http://www.aaahamsters.org/Campbells.html

You might also like