What can a domestic rat be called? - briefly
A domestic rat is commonly called a pet rat or fancy rat, terms that distinguish it from wild or laboratory varieties. These names reflect its role as a companion animal kept in homes.
What can a domestic rat be called? - in detail
Domestic rats kept as companions are most frequently referred to as pet rats. This term distinguishes them from wild or laboratory specimens and emphasizes their role as household animals. In hobbyist circles the same animals are called fancy rats; the adjective “fancy” originates from the long‑standing practice of breeding for specific coat colors, patterns, and temperaments, similar to the terminology used for other small mammals such as fancy mice or fancy hamsters.
The scientific community employs the trinomial Rattus norvegicus domestica to denote the subspecies that has been selectively bred for domestication. Although the binomial Rattus norvegicus applies to the species as a whole, the subspecific epithet “domestica” signals the lineage adapted to living with humans.
Other common designations include:
- Companion rat – highlights the animal’s function as a social partner.
- House rat – used informally in regions where the distinction between wild and pet rats is less precise.
- Show rat – applied to individuals entered in competitive exhibitions that judge appearance and behavior.
- Lab‑derived pet – indicates a rat originally bred for research that has been re‑homed as a pet.
Breed‑specific names appear in specialty literature, for example:
- Standard Fancy – the baseline phenotype used in most breeding programs.
- Dumbo – rats with enlarged, low‑set ears resembling the Disney character.
- Hairless – individuals lacking the typical dense fur.
- Satin – rats possessing a glossy, satin‑like coat.
Each term carries contextual nuance. “Pet rat” and “companion rat” are most appropriate in general conversation, “fancy rat” is preferred among breeders, and “Rattus norvegicus domestica” is reserved for formal or scientific writing. The variety of appellations reflects the animal’s dual identity as both a domesticated species and a subject of selective breeding.