What are red rats called? - briefly
Red‑colored rats are commonly called ginger or cinnamon rats. The name refers to their coat color rather than a separate breed.
What are red rats called? - in detail
Rats exhibiting a reddish‑brown coat are commonly identified as “cinnamon” or “red” varieties in the fancy‑rat community. The term does not refer to a distinct species; all belong to Rattus norvegicus (the Norway rat) or Rattus rattus (the black rat) depending on lineage. The coloration results from a recessive mutation affecting melanin production, producing a hue ranging from light amber to deep chestnut. Breeders label these animals as “cinnamon rats” when the pigment is uniform, while “red” is used for individuals showing a richer, more saturated tone.
Key characteristics of the reddish coat variant include:
- Genetic basis: recessive c allele (cinnamon) or r allele (red) modifies the standard agouti or albino patterns.
- Appearance: uniform fur color, often accompanied by pinkish skin and red‑orange eyes if the animal is also albino.
- Classification: still classified under the species Rattus norvegicus; no separate taxonomic rank is assigned.
- Usage: popular in pet trade for aesthetic appeal; occasionally selected for laboratory studies focusing on coat‑color genetics.
In laboratory contexts, the same phenotype may be described as “red‑eyed albino” when the animal lacks pigment in the retina, producing red ocular coloration. The descriptor “cinnamon” is preferred when the fur retains pigment but lacks the typical dark markings.
Therefore, the proper designation for rats with a reddish coat is “cinnamon” or “red” variety of Rattus norvegicus, with “red‑eyed albino” used for the specific albino form displaying red eyes.