What do you call a light‑colored rat? - briefly
«Pale rat» is the common name for a rat with light‑colored fur. When the animal lacks pigment entirely, it is classified as an albino rat.
What do you call a light‑colored rat? - in detail
A pale‑colored rat is commonly referred to as an «albino rat». The designation stems from the genetic condition albinism, which eliminates melanin production, resulting in white fur, pink eyes, and a lack of pigment in the skin. In laboratory settings, the term also applies to strains bred for a white coat, such as the Sprague‑Dawley or Wistar varieties, where the coat color is selected for visibility and ease of handling.
Key characteristics of an albino specimen include:
- Absence of melanin throughout the body.
- Pink or red irises caused by visible blood vessels.
- Increased sensitivity to bright light due to lack of ocular pigmentation.
- Higher susceptibility to certain health issues, for example, skin lesions and visual impairments.
Alternative nomenclature appears in pet‑trade contexts, where the phrase «white rat» is used interchangeably with the scientific term. The choice of label depends on the audience: researchers prefer the precise genetic description, while hobbyists may favor the colloquial expression.
Understanding the distinction between true albinism and other light‑colored mutations, such as the “piebald” or “leucistic” phenotypes, is essential. Piebald individuals display patches of white alongside normal pigmentation, whereas leucistic subjects retain normal eye color despite a white coat. Only the fully depigmented form qualifies for the primary term discussed above.