Dark patches?

Question
Hey there, I've a Male Syrian named Sugerplum, he's just a year old this month. He's always been quite a lazy hammy! But lately, I've been trying to get him out off his cage, but he just won't come, he runs back off to bed. His appetite is the same, he's always ate a fair bit. His size..I would say is, average for his breed? (From what I've seen in pictures/friends hampsters etc.) He's always had, since I've owned him, at six weeks, what I've described as "love handles" - darker fur on his hips (even though he's a male!) ...Recently as I mentioned with the sleeping more, maybe it's the weather? (Damn UK can't make up it's mind eh!) But not only that, recently, these dark patches of fur, have...on one side more than the other, the hair, has turned white? ..And tonight I noticed underneath the fur, on both sides (bigger on the white furred side)there appears to be brown, rough...moles? That's the best way I can describe them? He doesn't flinch at all when I touch them, so I'm guessing maybe they're not causing him too much discomfort? ...I've also noticed, he's starting to go bald on his back?
Any opinion you might have on the matter would be greatfully appreciated.
I'm sorry I've blabbled on, I'm just really worried as he's my first hampster =(
Thank you for reading this.

Answer
Hi Kira

Male hamsters can be very lazy - more than the females.  When they are babies they are usually very active, but many get into a lazy routine once they get older - you are right in that the warmer weather can make them more lethargic.  Providing he is eating/drinking as normal and looks OK -i.e. not dull, his breathing is OK, there are no unusual lumps or he is hunched over, then he's probably fine. Have you seen/heard him running in his wheel?  Perhaps you need to be a bit forceful with him - if you leave it until quite late, then tap on his cage so he knows you're around - can you dismantle the cage so that you can scoop him up easily?  Perhaps you can get him into a routine of this.  I know what you mean about running back into his nest - I have one like that!  When I see him out having something to eat I call him and he runs straight back to his nest - just as well I don't take it personally!  I usually leave him for a while, but a bit later when I know he's awake because I can hear him rustling around, I get him out for a cuddle and a play.  I think that some hamsters are just a bit like that - it doesn't mean there's anything wrong as such, they just have their own routines.

With regard to the moles on his back - hamsters have scent glands which are situated on their hips - there is one each side.  For some hamsters these are really obvious - they are brown dots and they are often bald around them.  It sounds as though this is what you've seen.  They often lick them which makes them more obvious.  

They can have darkening of the skin - this is often if they have mange/mites - where they scratch a lot the skin eventually thickens and they get brown spots.  If Sugerplum has this he would be scratching a lot, and his skin would be flaky, red.  If this is the case, then the vet can prescribe some medication to sort it out.

I note that you have said that he is also going bald on his back, but providing the skin looks OK underneath it, this could just be a natural part of him getting older.  Hamster's often lose some of their fur when they get older, although some lose it early on due to hormonal imbalances.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

Regards