What are white mice called? - briefly
White laboratory mice are commonly referred to as albino mice. The term denotes the lack of pigment in their fur and eyes.
What are white mice called? - in detail
White-furred Mus musculus are commonly referred to as albino mice. The designation “albino” denotes the lack of pigmentation in the coat, eyes, and skin, a result of recessive mutations in the tyrosinase gene. In scientific literature, the full label often appears as Mus musculus albino, sometimes abbreviated to M. musculus albino.
Other names used in research and breeding contexts include:
- Laboratory mouse (when the animal is employed in experimental settings)
- White laboratory mouse
- White coat mouse
- White strain mouse
These terms emphasize the animal’s role rather than its coloration. The most widely recognized laboratory strain bearing the white phenotype is the C57BL/6 J substrain, frequently shortened to “C57 white” in genetic studies. Another prominent strain is the BALB/c, which exhibits a pure white coat and is prized for immunological investigations.
Key characteristics of albino mice:
- Lack of melanin leads to pink eyes and heightened sensitivity to light.
- Uniform coat color simplifies visual identification in mixed‑genotype colonies.
- Genetic uniformity facilitates reproducibility in pharmacological and behavioral experiments.
In summary, the standard nomenclature for white mice combines the species name Mus musculus with the descriptor “albino,” while related terms such as “laboratory mouse” or “white strain” are employed to specify their experimental use.