What is a yellow mouse called? - briefly
A mouse with yellow fur is commonly referred to as a golden mouse.
What is a yellow mouse called? - in detail
A mouse whose fur appears yellow is commonly described by several interchangeable names. In the pet trade the animal is often labeled “golden mouse,” “lemon mouse,” or “yellow‑furred mouse.” Laboratory strains carrying the dominant Ay allele are referred to as “yellow mice” because the mutation produces a uniform yellow coat.
The yellow coat results from the Agouti yellow (Ay) mutation on chromosome 2 of Mus musculus. The Ay allele drives overproduction of the pigment pheomelanin, yielding a golden‑brown coloration. The same allele frequently co‑expresses the obese (ob) phenotype, making the strain valuable for studies of metabolism and behavior.
Common designations for the phenotype include:
- Golden mouse
- Lemon mouse
- Yellow‑furred mouse
- Ay‑carrier mouse (research context)
In scientific literature the term “yellow mouse” designates the Ay‑positive laboratory strain, while pet owners typically use the marketing names listed above. Both usages refer to the same visual characteristic—a coat ranging from pale cream to deep amber.