What are curly mice called? - briefly
Mice that possess tightly curled fur are commonly referred to as “Curls.” The term directly describes the breed’s distinctive wavy coat.
What are curly mice called? - in detail
The curly‑fur phenotype in Mus musculus is most commonly referred to as the “curly‑tail” or “curly‑hair” mutation. The genetic basis lies in the Crl (curly) allele, a recessive mutation that alters hair shaft structure, producing tightly coiled fur and a shortened tail. Laboratory strains that carry this allele include:
- Crl/An – a classic curly‑tail line used in developmental studies.
- Crl/Le – a variant derived from the original An strain, maintained for genetic research.
- Crl/Sw – a derivative employed in immunology experiments.
The mutation affects the keratin gene cluster, specifically disrupting the expression of keratin 71, which leads to abnormal hair morphology. Phenotypically, affected mice display:
- Dense, spiraled coat on the dorsal and ventral surfaces.
- Tail length reduced to approximately 30‑40 % of that of wild‑type mice.
- Slightly increased body weight due to the denser fur.
From a husbandry perspective, curly‑fur mice require:
- Temperature control – the insulating coat reduces heat loss; ambient temperature should be maintained at 22–24 °C.
- Grooming observation – the compact fur can trap debris, necessitating regular health checks for skin irritation.
- Breeding management – heterozygous carriers appear phenotypically normal; to maintain a stable colony, both parents must be homozygous recessive.
In research literature, the term “curly‑tail mouse” is the standard designation, distinguishing it from other coat‑type mutations such as “hairless” (hr) or “satin” (Sa). The curly‑tail model is valuable for studies of epidermal development, hair biology, and genetic inheritance patterns.