What is the name of a white mouse with red eyes? - briefly
«Albino mouse» designates a mouse with white fur and red (pink) eyes. The phenotype arises from a lack of pigment in skin and retinal tissue.
What is the name of a white mouse with red eyes? - in detail
The animal commonly identified as a white mouse with red eyes is an albino laboratory mouse. Its scientific designation is Mus musculus albino, a strain lacking functional melanin production due to mutations in the Tyrosinase gene. The resulting phenotype displays a pinkish‑white coat and conspicuous red irises caused by visible blood vessels behind the unpigmented retina.
Key characteristics:
- Genetic basis: recessive alleles at the Tyrosinase locus prevent melanin synthesis.
- Common strains: Swiss albino (CD‑1), BALB/c, and C57BL/6 J (albino variants) are widely distributed.
- Research applications: immunology, oncology, toxicology, and genetics benefit from the strain’s uniform background and ease of handling.
- Husbandry: requires standard rodent housing, controlled temperature (20‑26 °C), and a diet free of pigments to maintain coat color purity.
In scientific literature, the term «albino mouse» references this specific phenotype. The red ocular appearance distinguishes it from pigmented laboratory mice and serves as a visual marker for genotype verification.