What are white rats called? - briefly
White rats are commonly referred to as albino rats, a laboratory strain of Rattus norvegicus characterized by a lack of pigment. They are often designated as the “albino” or “white” variety in scientific and pet‑trade contexts.
What are white rats called? - in detail
White rats that display an entirely white coat are most commonly referred to as albinos. The condition results from a genetic mutation that eliminates melanin production, yielding pink eyes and a lack of pigment in the skin and fur. In scientific literature the species is identified as Rattus norvegicus (the Norway rat), with the albino form designated Rattus norvegicus albinus.
In laboratory and pet contexts the animals are called:
- Albino rats
- White laboratory rats
- White Norway rats
- White fancy rats (when bred for exhibition)
These terms are interchangeable, although “albino” emphasizes the genetic basis, while “white laboratory rat” highlights the animal’s primary use in research. The designation “fancy rat” applies when the animal is kept as a pet and conforms to breed standards established by hobbyist societies.
Breeding programs distinguish several strains that are uniformly white, each selected for specific traits:
- Sprague‑Dawley albino – favored for pharmacology and toxicology studies because of robust breeding performance.
- Wistar albino – widely used in neuroscience and behavioral research; noted for rapid growth and high fecundity.
- Long‑Evans albino – employed in vision research due to well‑characterized ocular anatomy.
- Harlan‑S – a commercial strain used in toxicology testing, recognized for consistent body weight and lifespan.
In pet trade literature the animal may also be described by coat color terminology such as “pure white” or “full‑white,” distinguishing it from patterned varieties like “agouti” or “hooded.”
The terminology therefore varies according to context—scientific classification, laboratory usage, or pet breeding—yet all refer to the same phenotypic category of Rattus norvegicus lacking pigment.