Can Wild Rats Be White?
WouterYou might be wondering if rats can be white. Wild rats are normally brown, with a lighter brown underbelly. However, some fancy rats are white, with a black or white underbelly. Fancy rats are often sold as pets. They also come in a variety of other colors, including cinnamon, peach, tan, black, and grey.
The first scientific description of an albino rat was published in 1553 by Swiss naturalist Conrad Gesner. Gesner had noticed a group of albino rats in a cemetery. These rats spent 76% of their day sleeping and only 24% of their time awake. Because rats are primarily nocturnal, they are not usually able to make eye contact with humans. The white color is not present in the eyes or hair, which is why these rats are often called “white” rats.
Despite being rare, the presence of white rats in the wild was thought to be a good omen in ancient times. In fact, people used to sacrifice albino rats to the god Apollo. Ancient Romans even ate albino rats as food. However, the genetic mutation responsible for their white color is unknown.
Unlike other types of rats, these creatures are not closely bred to maintain a standard color. Some are white or gray, with a small patch of color on their heads or backs. Others are brown or gray. A white rat can symbolize virtue or deception, or it could be a sign of loneliness.
