What is the breed called of a white rat with black eyes? - briefly
«Albino» designates the white rat with black eyes, most commonly the Wistar Albino or Sprague‑Dawley Albino strain used in laboratory settings.
What is the breed called of a white rat with black eyes? - in detail
The breed commonly referred to when describing a rat that displays a pure white coat combined with dark irises is the albino fancy rat. This variety belongs to the species Rattus norvegicus and is classified within the broader group of domesticated laboratory and pet rats.
Key genetic traits:
- The coat color results from a recessive allele that eliminates pigment in the fur, producing an entirely white pelage.
- The same genetic pathway does not affect melanin production in the eyes, leaving the irises black.
- The albino phenotype is homozygous for the “a” (albino) gene; breeding two carriers yields a 25 % probability of albino offspring.
Standard characteristics recognized by rat‑fancy societies:
- Uniformly white fur without any markings.
- Black eyes, sometimes appearing slightly glossy.
- Pink or unpigmented skin visible around the ears and snout.
- Normal body proportions; no skeletal or respiratory abnormalities directly linked to the coat color.
Health considerations:
- Albino rats may exhibit increased sensitivity to bright light due to the lack of ocular pigment.
- No inherent predisposition to disease beyond that of the species; proper husbandry mitigates risk.
Common nomenclature in breeding literature includes «albino», «white», and «pure white» to distinguish this color type from other white‑based varieties such as “blonde” or “silver‑white”, which retain some pigment in the eyes or coat.
Breeding recommendations:
- Pair two albino individuals to guarantee albino offspring.
- Use heterozygous carriers only when aiming to introduce the albino gene into a line with other desired traits.
Overall, the albino fancy rat represents the standard white‑coated, black‑eyed type sought by breeders and owners for its distinctive appearance and well‑documented genetic background.