Can Rats Change Colour?
WouterIf you ask a rat, “Can rats change colour?”, they will likely answer “yes.” Rats have a wide range of colour. The two main base coat colors are black and agouti. While the former has bands of individual hairs and a lighter underbelly, the latter is solid black. Rats can also change colour to rust or brown.
The reason why rats can change colour is because their genes are recessive. This means that two random carriers of the gene must mate in order for the rat to change color. As such, only about one quarter of babies will display the colour. However, this does not mean that colour changes in rat are completely rare.
Rats can change colour when they first moult, and the most obvious moults occur between six and eight weeks of age. During this time, the rats shed their baby coats and grow into sleek, adult coats. The most visible signs of this mollis are changes in colour and fur streaking. However, this is not a sign of illness or disease, and the change in colour should not cause a rat to become ill or become deformed.
Red tears in rats are caused by a pigment called porphyrin that is present in normal rat tears. Porphyrin can cause an increase in liquid around the eyes and nose, giving the appearance of bleeding. The presence of porphyrin in the tears should not be a cause for alarm, but it can be a sign of a broader problem that should be investigated by a vet.
