AFRMA FANCY RATS
Varieties
The following is a brief description of the rat Varieties as recognized by
the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association. For complete details of these Standards including
points, faults, and disqualifications, please refer to the
AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.
Note: The pictures on this page are not meant to be true representatives of the
animal’s color. Because of differences in monitors (CRT/LCD) and how the monitor is adjusted, the colors
may be different. Seeing in person is always best.
Varieties
STANDARD - The coat to be short, smooth, and glossy with the males having somewhat longer
and coarser hair. It should show a natural high shine and densely cover the body. Color to conform
to a recognized color or pattern.
Pink-Eyed White rats owned by Nancy Ferris. Photo ©1997 Craig Robbins.
REX - The coat to be evenly dense and not excessively harsh, with as few guard hairs
as possible. Coat to be evenly curled and also to a lesser extent on the belly. Curly vibrissae
(whiskers) are normal for Rex. Color to conform to a recognized color or pattern. (English, N.F.R.S.)Agouti AOC Rex rat owned and bred by Geri Hauser. Photo ©1992 Larry Ferris.
Read the articles on Rex, Rex Breeding, and “double” Rex.
Research articles:
- Identification of the Rat Rex Mutation as a 7-bp Deletion at Splicing Acceptor Site of the Krt71 Gene
- Rex mutant in the Norway rat
TAILLESS - Tailless rats may be shown in any recognized color, marking, or Variety. The
distinct feature is the complete absence of a tail. Tailless rats may have a cobbier body and will
have a rounded rump.Black Self Tailless rat owned and bred by Jazmyn Concolor. Photo ©1996 Craig Robbins.
Read the articles on Tailless, Breeding Tailless, Troubles with Tailless, and Taillessness in the Rat.
Research articles:
- Congenital Taillessness in the Rat
- Taillessness in the Rat
- Further Observations on Taillessness in the Rat
HAIRLESS - Hairless rats should have a thin, bright, rather translucent skin, free of
scars or pimples, and be as hairless as possible. The skin may be of any color or recognized
marking, and wrinkling should not be penalized. The eyes may be of any color, but should be
bright and free from any problems. The ears should be very large and wrinkle free. The whiskers
may be very short or missing; they are usually curly.Hairless rat owned by Lorryta Bowker. Photo ©1996 Craig Robbins.
Research articles:
- Three variations of hairlessness associated with albinism in the laboratory rat
- The Charles River “Hairless” Rat Mutation Maps to Chromosome 1: Allelic With Fuzzy and a Likely Orthologue of Mouse Frizzy
SATIN - Satin rats may be shown in any recognized color or markings. The ideal coat has
a unique and distinct appearance with its lustrous sheen. The coat is thinner and longer looking.
The hair should be fine to the touch. The coat has a sparkling look on some colors; white on
the animals will have a yellow cast. Whiskers on Satin rats are normally kinky/wavy/curled.
(Karen Robbins - Karen’s Kritters)Blue Self Satin rat owned by Nancy Ferris, bred by Nichole Royer. Photo ©2001 Karen Robbins.
Read the article on Satin.
Fancy
Rats/Mice
page
DUMBO - Dumbo rats to be shown in any recognized color, marking, or variety. The
distinguishing feature being their low ear set. The ears are large and round, set low on the
sides of the head. Head to form an equilateral triangle when viewed from above.Sable Burmese Dumbo owned and bred by Connie & Ken Van Doren. Photo ©2009 Karen Robbins.
Read the information on Dumbo and Dumbo Ears.
Research articles:
- Dumbo Expression of Msx1 and Dlx1 during Dumbo rat head development: Correlation with morphological features
- Deletion of a conserved regulatory element required for Hmx1 expression in craniofacial mesenchyme in the dumbo rat: a newly identified cause of congenital ear malformation
For complete details of the Standards including points, faults, eliminations, and disqualifications, please refer to the AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.
Purchase the AFRMA Official Color Standards Rat book.
AFRMA’s
Home Page
Updated May 24, 2013
© 1995–2013 American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association.
All text, artwork, and photos are copyright to AFRMA, and/or the author, artist, or photographer.
Unauthorized copying of any part constitutes a breach of copyright law.