What does a queen rat look like? - briefly
A queen rat is the colony’s breeding female, noticeably larger and more robust than other members, with a distended abdomen when pregnant and enlarged, milk‑filled mammary glands.
What does a queen rat look like? - in detail
A queen rat, the dominant breeding female in a colony, displays several distinctive physical traits that set her apart from subordinate females and males.
The body is larger and more robust than that of other females, with a length of 20–25 cm (head‑to‑base) and a tail that typically exceeds body length. The weight ranges from 250 g to 350 g, reflecting greater muscle mass and stored fat reserves needed for gestation and lactation.
Coat coloration varies among strains, but the queen’s fur is generally denser and shinier, providing better insulation. In albino lines the coat is pure white with pink eyes; in pigmented strains it may be brown, black, or agouti, often with a more uniform hue than the mottled patterns seen in subordinate rats.
Head features include a slightly broader skull and a more pronounced sagittal ridge, which supports stronger jaw muscles. Eyes are large, dark, and have a clear, unclouded cornea, indicating good health. Ears are proportionally larger, with well‑vascularized pink skin that aids thermoregulation.
The tail is long, tapered, and covered with fine scales. In a queen, the tail exhibits a higher degree of flexibility and a more pronounced dorsal stripe, which can be a visual cue for other colony members.
Reproductive anatomy is evident: the queen’s vulva is enlarged and pink, with a more pronounced labial swelling. During estrus, the area may appear slightly swollen and reddened, signaling readiness to mate. After successful breeding, the abdomen expands noticeably as embryos develop, and the nipples become prominent, hairless, and pink.
Additional external markers include:
- Body condition: a rounded abdomen and well‑filled cheek pouches.
- Claws: slightly longer and sharper, aiding in nest construction.
- Scent glands: more active, leaving a stronger pheromonal trail that reinforces dominance.
These physical characteristics, taken together, provide a clear visual profile of the colony’s breeding female.