What colors can mice be? - briefly
Mice display a spectrum of coat colors, from albino pink and pure white to gray, brown, black, agouti, and mixed or spotted patterns caused by genetic variants. Laboratory strains commonly exhibit standardized hues such as C57BL/6 black, BALB/c white, and DBA/2 gray.
What colors can mice be? - in detail
Mice exhibit a range of coat pigments that arise from genetic variations affecting melanin production, pigment distribution, and hair structure. The most common natural coloration in wild populations is a brownish hue, often described as “agouti,” where each hair contains alternating bands of dark and light pigment, providing camouflage in grassy habitats.
Laboratory and pet strains expand the palette through selective breeding and spontaneous mutations. The principal categories include:
- Brown/Agouti – standard wild‑type, with banded hairs producing a muted brown.
- Black – uniform eumelanin dominance, resulting in a solid dark coat.
- Grey – reduced melanin, giving a silvery or slate appearance.
- White (albino) – complete lack of pigment due to mutations in the tyrosinase gene; eyes are pink or red from underlying blood vessels.
- Cream – partial reduction of melanin, yielding a pale, off‑white coat.
- Dilute – a modifier gene lightens existing pigments, producing softer shades such as light brown or pastel grey.
- Spotted or piebald – localized loss of pigment creates distinct white patches on an otherwise colored background.
- Melanistic – excessive eumelanin leads to an intensely black coat, sometimes with a glossy sheen.
The underlying genetics involve several loci: C (agouti), a (non‑agouti), b (brown), c (albino), d (dilute), s (spotting), and M (melanism). Allelic interactions determine the final phenotype, and homozygosity or heterozygosity at these loci can modify intensity and pattern. Breeding strategies exploit these genes to produce specific colors for research, exhibition, or pet markets.
Environmental factors rarely alter coat color after development, but exposure to ultraviolet light can cause slight fading in light‑pigmented individuals. Overall, mouse coloration is a well‑characterized trait, governed by a limited set of genetic mechanisms that generate a predictable spectrum of hues and patterns.