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The Silver Grey mutation in the Syrian Hamster occurred in 1985-86 but it is unclear in which country it first appeared. The coat is pale silver-grey in colour over the back and sides with slightly darker ticking. The roots of the hairs are grey and these darker roots are often easily visible on the top of the head. The fur on the belly is pale ivory, almost white, in colour but slightly grey at the roots and the grey colouring of the back extends in a line across the chest. Along the side of each cheek there is a black "cheekflash" which extends from under the chin up towards the ears with the ivory belly colour extending upwards below the cheekflash. The eyes are black and the ears are dark grey.

The Silver Grey hamster can exist in two forms: with one or two silver grey genes. The former (heterozygous) can look very similar to the Light Grey but is distinguished by the lack of cream on the muzzle and in the crescents. The later (homozygous) is considered the "true" Silver Grey and is the one preferred for the show bench displaying a pale silver grey colouring.

The Silver Grey can be combined with any coat type, and pattern to produce varieties such as Long Haired Silver Grey, Silver Grey Banded, Silver Grey Dominant Spot Satin, etc.

Agouti Colour Mutations  »

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