Black Syrian Hamsters

Black, White, and Black Dominant Spot Syrian Youngsters

Black Short-haired Syrian Female

Black Long-haired Syrian Female

The black gene 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 an black or to another hamster carrying the black gene, though, will produce some black babies.

There are a number of nicknames for the black syrians.  In the US, they are often called "Black Bears" or "European Black Bears."  The black banded is also often called the "panda" and the black dominant spot the "dalmation."  These are all nicknames, though, for the black syrian.