Rat Marking Example Pics

Rat markings can come in any color. Descriptions are based on correct show quality markings, but getting 100% perfect markings is rare so your rat may be a marking genetically, but not look like the example in the photos.

Self:
AKA Solid
No markings, solid coloration all over body. (Some self rats will have white toes which is a fault)


RWR Tidepool- Am. blue self

Berkshire:
The rat has a white belly and white extending to all 4 feet.  Preferably with a half white tail from the tip.


LCR Classy Lady- Blue berkshire dumbo

Variegated:
Variegated rats have markings much like that of a berkshire rat but instead of a solid pattern of color on their back they have spots/ splashes.  Many variegated rats have a blaze or a head spot.

Variegated Berkshire (Variberk):
A berkshire rat with splashes of white and color on their back and belly markings.  Many variberk rats have a blaze or a head spot. This marking may simply be a mismarked varigated with solid color on the back instead of the correct spotting and splashes.


EAGL Starburst- Black dumbo variegated berkshire.


SFR Blue variberk- Am. Blue variegated berkshire with head spot.
Photo courtesy of Dayna at Silver Fuzz Rattery.

Banded:
AKA American Berkshire, Aurora, Blazed Banded
Rat has a belly marking like a berkshire, or a 'band' of color up their side. Often has a blaze (Wedge shaped, or strip of white up face) or headspot (Spot on the forehead). These markings are dominant high white markings known to cause mega colon when bred to other high whites.


HTR Carbon Copy- Black odd-eye dumbo blazed berkshire
Copy is owned by Bridget at Happy Trails Rattery.  
Photo was taken by Emily Godlevsky.


Oliver Twist of EAGL- Mink merle blazed banded odd eye dumbo

Cap-stripe- Rat is capped (See above) and then has an unattached stripe going from it's shoulders and down it's tail (Much like the stripe of a hooded rat).  Rat should either be blazed or have a notch in their cap at the base of the skull.  (Some call the notch a 'reverse blaze')


EAGL Piper- Siamese dumbo blazed cap-stripe


MHR Twix Bar- Fawn cap-stripe

Irish:
Colored rat with white paws, and a white spot or triangle on their chest.  Some irish have white ovals on their chest/belly.  This gene is a modified version of the berkshire marking.

Hooded:
Rats head and shoulders are covered with color and a stripe attached that goes down the rats spine and preferably down to the tail coloring the tail. 


EAGL Goldie Locks- Fawn hooded dumbo


EAGL Keepsake- Am. Blue hooded rex dumbo

DownUnder:
A new mutation discovered in '98 in Australia and imported to the US late '02.  The DU rats have a normal hooded, berkshire, or variegated marking, and then the unique marking on their belly corresponding with their markings.  


EAGL Berkshire DownUnder 2 week old black girl

Capped:
Colored marking on top of rats head.  (A cap that covers the rats whole face all the way to the back of their skull.)  Many capped rats have a notch off the back of their cap (Like a V with the point going towards the nose)


Sassy- American blue capped


KRR Unnamed buck- Cinnamon pearl capped

Masked:
A rectangle marking that covers the eyes.  (Much like Zorro's mask)


Frito Bandito- Agouti masked.
Frito is owned by Bridget at Happy Trails Rattery.  
Photo was taken by Emily Godlevsky.


MHR Storm- Blue masked

Dalmatian:
Rat has spots on it's body and usually a colored 'collar' behind their ears.


EAGL Living Wraith
Silver black dumbo patched Dalmatian


Spotz 'n Dotz of EAGL- Black Dalmatian dumbo

Shaded Markings

Shaded markings can come in any of the above markings.  In shaded rats there is the base color with markings of a second (Sometimes 3 but not much study has been done on the genetics of the tricolor varieties or whether this shading is genetic or not) color on the base color.

Siamese:
Siamese rats have a beige base color and darker shading on their nose, ears, tail and base of tail, and on their feet.  (Like siamese in other species)  The shading of a siamese can be any color.  Most common is 'Seal point' (Black points), but there are mink points, blue points, etc.  Marked siamese are often called 'triamese' as a cute nickname.



HTR Gem Twist- Seal point dumbo rex siamese
Gem is owned by Bridget at Happy Trails Rattery.  
Photo was taken by Emily Godlevsky '02.


DCR Siegfried- Russian blue point siamese dumbo
Photo courtesy of Robin at Deer Creek Rattery.

Himalayan: Himalayans have the same type of shading as a siamese rat except on a white base.  Himalayan shading can also come in any color.  Some Himalayans are born beige but bleach out to white as they mature.

Roan AKA European Husky: Rat starts off solid colored but fades (silvers) out with age to often completely white.  This pattern resembles a Husky dog with the markings, and fading.  Roans can be any color.  Photos coming shortly.

Merle: Merle rats have a mink colored base with darker patches or splashes.  Merle in rats only shows in mink based colors such as mink, pearl, lilac, etc.  Merling shows up best in young rats when the fur first comes in.  Merle rats can come in any marking.  For more info on merle visit my Merle Rat Info Page.


EAGL Smiley Won- Pearl merle dumbo


Staples- Pearl merle variberk


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All photos are property of Emily Godlevsky at EaglesEye Rattery and cannot be used without permission!