What is a white rat called? - briefly
A white rat is commonly called an albino rat, distinguished by a lack of pigment that produces white fur and pink eyes. In research environments they are often referred to as white lab rats.
What is a white rat called? - in detail
The designation for a rat that displays an entirely white coat and pink eyes is “albino rat.” The term derives from albinism, a genetic condition characterized by the absence of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. In rodents, the mutation affects the tyrosinase enzyme, halting melanin synthesis and producing the distinctive coloration.
Albino rats are prominent in scientific research because their lack of pigment simplifies visual assessments of physiological processes, such as tumor growth and wound healing. Several laboratory strains are routinely bred as albinos:
- Wistar Albino: a long‑standing strain used for toxicology and behavioral studies.
- Sprague‑Dawley Albino: favored for pharmacology and developmental research.
- Fischer 344 Albino: employed in aging and carcinogenesis investigations.
Commercial pet suppliers also market “white laboratory rats” or “white fancy rats,” which are often albino but may include selectively bred varieties with white fur and dark eyes (non‑albino). These are labeled as “white rats” or “white fancy rats” in the pet trade.
Genetically, the albino phenotype follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Breeding two heterozygous carriers (Aa) yields a 25 % probability of an albino offspring (aa), a 50 % chance of a carrier (Aa), and a 25 % chance of a pigmented individual (AA).
In summary, the correct term for a rat with a completely white coat is “albino rat,” a designation that applies to both laboratory strains and pet market varieties, distinguished by the underlying genetic lack of melanin.