Fancy Rat Information
Fancy Rat
History & Information
General Info
Average Lifespan: 2-3 Years
Body Length: 8" - 12"
Tail Length: 6" - 9"
Full Body Length: 14" - 18"
Weight: 300-500g for females ; 400-700g for males
Temperament: Docile
Attributes: Sociable, hygienic, quiet, intelligent, affectionate, playful
Average Lifespan: 2-3 Years
Body Length: 8" - 12"
Tail Length: 6" - 9"
Full Body Length: 14" - 18"
Weight: 300-500g for females ; 400-700g for males
Temperament: Docile
Attributes: Sociable, hygienic, quiet, intelligent, affectionate, playful
Origin
The modern Fancy Rat is a descendent the wild Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), also known as the Common Brown Rat or Street Rat. Rats became popular pets around the 19th century, shortly after traveling the globe alongside humans and becoming one of the most populous and invasive species.
During the Victorian Era, rat catchers were hired to exterminate rats for the very wealthy. In their spare time, rat catchers engaged in a sport called "rat baiting," in which they would release the rats they caught into an arena to be hunted by a trained terrier. Some rat catchers began breeding their rats for the sport, and eventually selling them as pets.
In 1901, the National Mouse Club in England offered their "Best in Show" prize to a black and white hooded rat owned by a rat fancier named Mary Douglas. Soon after, Fancy Rats were recognized by the National Mouse Club, and the orginization was renamed to what we know today as the Fancy Rat & Mouse Association.
Click here to learn more about the origin & history of fancy rats.
The modern Fancy Rat is a descendent the wild Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus), also known as the Common Brown Rat or Street Rat. Rats became popular pets around the 19th century, shortly after traveling the globe alongside humans and becoming one of the most populous and invasive species.
During the Victorian Era, rat catchers were hired to exterminate rats for the very wealthy. In their spare time, rat catchers engaged in a sport called "rat baiting," in which they would release the rats they caught into an arena to be hunted by a trained terrier. Some rat catchers began breeding their rats for the sport, and eventually selling them as pets.
In 1901, the National Mouse Club in England offered their "Best in Show" prize to a black and white hooded rat owned by a rat fancier named Mary Douglas. Soon after, Fancy Rats were recognized by the National Mouse Club, and the orginization was renamed to what we know today as the Fancy Rat & Mouse Association.
Click here to learn more about the origin & history of fancy rats.
Types of Fancy Rats
Rats do not have breeds like dogs and cats do. Instead, rats are categorized by variety.
Varieties
Fancy rats come in two different ear types (Top-Eared & Dumbo), many different coat types; such as Standard, Rex, Double Rex, Hairless, and Harley; and a wide variety of colors and markings. These combinations of ear type, coat type, color, and markings are what describes a variety of rat.
For example, you may hear someone refer to their rat as a “Standard Pink-Eye-White,” or something complicated such as a “Dwarf Dumbo Silver Agouti Marten Harley.” That may sound confusing now, but it will be easy to remember the more you learn about coat types, colors, markings, etc.
Top-Eared and Dumbo
It is a common misconception that Top-Eared rats and Dumbo rats are different "breeds" or "types," of rats. In fact, Dumbo & Top-Eared rats are no different aside from the placement of their ears. The “Standard” or “Top-Eared” fancy rat is probably the most familiar and most common. Top-Eared means the rat has a natural ear placement, in which their ears sit erect on the top of their head. The “Dumbo”-eared fancy rat has larger, lower set ears. Nobody's sure where the Dumbo mutation came from, but Dumbo rats are generally considered the favorite amongst rat fanciers, as they appear "cuter," to many people by comparison. Although they may look different, Top-Ear and Dumbo rats are no different from each other aside from the placement of their ears. In fact, you can even get Dumbo and Top-Eared rats in the same litter, with the same two parents!
Click here to learn more about fancy rat varieties.
Rats do not have breeds like dogs and cats do. Instead, rats are categorized by variety.
Varieties
Fancy rats come in two different ear types (Top-Eared & Dumbo), many different coat types; such as Standard, Rex, Double Rex, Hairless, and Harley; and a wide variety of colors and markings. These combinations of ear type, coat type, color, and markings are what describes a variety of rat.
For example, you may hear someone refer to their rat as a “Standard Pink-Eye-White,” or something complicated such as a “Dwarf Dumbo Silver Agouti Marten Harley.” That may sound confusing now, but it will be easy to remember the more you learn about coat types, colors, markings, etc.
Top-Eared and Dumbo
It is a common misconception that Top-Eared rats and Dumbo rats are different "breeds" or "types," of rats. In fact, Dumbo & Top-Eared rats are no different aside from the placement of their ears. The “Standard” or “Top-Eared” fancy rat is probably the most familiar and most common. Top-Eared means the rat has a natural ear placement, in which their ears sit erect on the top of their head. The “Dumbo”-eared fancy rat has larger, lower set ears. Nobody's sure where the Dumbo mutation came from, but Dumbo rats are generally considered the favorite amongst rat fanciers, as they appear "cuter," to many people by comparison. Although they may look different, Top-Ear and Dumbo rats are no different from each other aside from the placement of their ears. In fact, you can even get Dumbo and Top-Eared rats in the same litter, with the same two parents!
Click here to learn more about fancy rat varieties.
General Behavior
I have heard pet rats described in numerous ways; but my most favorite--and possibly most accurate--description comes from my partner, who, upon meeting my rats for the first time, referred to them as, "tiny dogs with human hands." Typically weighing less than a single pound, possessing intelligence said to be comparable to that of a 2-3 year old human, as well as being equally sociable with humans as with other rats; I can't think of a more apt description. Rats are said to be just as intelligent as dogs, as hygienic as cats, and as sociable and energetic as our fellow primates.
Click here to learn more about fancy rat behavior.
I have heard pet rats described in numerous ways; but my most favorite--and possibly most accurate--description comes from my partner, who, upon meeting my rats for the first time, referred to them as, "tiny dogs with human hands." Typically weighing less than a single pound, possessing intelligence said to be comparable to that of a 2-3 year old human, as well as being equally sociable with humans as with other rats; I can't think of a more apt description. Rats are said to be just as intelligent as dogs, as hygienic as cats, and as sociable and energetic as our fellow primates.
Click here to learn more about fancy rat behavior.