The first notation of a Tortoiseshell was in 1962 in the UK described as "A mix of Golden and Honey" this pattern was actually the Tortoiseshell we know today. Tortoiseshell is a sex linked gene and only females can be Tortoiseshell. [1] Some of the most striking and loved are the Black Tortoiseshell and the Dove Tortoiseshell.
Breeding Notes
Although Tortoiseshell is completely harmless, there are some undesirable colours to have as a tortoiseshell;
- Cream + Tort. This creates a colour known as Ghost Yellow which can be a nightmare to phenotype and remove from a line.
- Silver Grey + Tort. This creates a visually unappealing hamster, but no outward health issues.
- Golden + Tort. This creates an animal that is near impossible to tell if tort or not because the tort patches blend into the Golden.
- Cinnamon + Tort. Again, this creates a near impossible to see tort animal. [2]
- Cream + Tort. This creates a colour known as Ghost Yellow which can be a nightmare to phenotype and remove from a line.
- Silver Grey + Tort. This creates a visually unappealing hamster, but no outward health issues.
- Golden + Tort. This creates an animal that is near impossible to tell if tort or not because the tort patches blend into the Golden.
- Cinnamon + Tort. Again, this creates a near impossible to see tort animal. [2]
Tortoiseshell |
Any colour + ToTo |
References
[1] Logsdail, C., Logsdail, P. and Hovers, K. (2007). Hamsterlopaedia. Surrey [England]: Ringpress, p.137.
[2] Information provided by Strongbrew Hamstery
[2] Information provided by Strongbrew Hamstery