Albino rats are often a sight to behold, and while many people instinctively avoid rat-sitting, they can sometimes make you do a double take. Because of their shining eyes and bright coats, albino rats are easy to spot. They’re often kept as pets.
These creatures may seem familiar to you, but how much do they really know? You answered, “not enough”? Then you are in luck because we have 18 incredible facts about these amazing animals.
1. They have been around for hundreds of years
Conrad Gessner, a Swiss naturalist, first mentioned the existence of an all-white Rat in 1553. Gessner discovered the animal in a wild, so we can only imagine Norway being a great place to raise an all-white Rat.
Gessner saw it in a cemetery. This seems extremely ominous. Gessner, despite being unrelated to his sighting, died 10 years later.
2. To be considered “Albino”, they must have pink eyes
Although there are many all-white rats around the world, they don’t have true albinos unless they have rose eyes. These rates are called “light-colored fancy rats,” which is both a compliment as well as a criticism.
3. They aren’t actually pink, but their eyes are.
Albino rats are named for the lack of pigment in their bodies. This extends to their eyes which have no color. The light bouncing off their blood vessels gives their peepers their pink color.
4. They are also known as “PEWs”.
Breeders often call Albino rats “PEWs,” which is short for Pink-Eyed White.
5. They were the first rats to be kept as pets
Albinos are easy rats to catch and spot in the wild unless you live in a winter wonderland like Conrad Gessner. Albinos were kept first as pets in the 18th century. They have been domesticated over the years.
6. Albino Rats Have a Dream About Their Days
Scientists examined the brain waves of albino rats while it was navigating through a maze. They were shocked to discover that they had exactly the same brain patterns when they were asleep. This suggests that albino rats can recall their past and relive it while asleep.
The scientists couldn’t determine whether the rats were dreaming of forgetting to wear pants while running through the maze. We have had the same dream.
7. Red Tears are sometimes enjoyed by them
Many people mistakenly believe albino rats can cry blood. It’s almost like Bond’s villain. It’s not blood that makes the rats’ tears turn red, but porphyrin which is thought to protect their eyes against light is what it is.
8. Their eyesight isn’t as strong as that of other rats
Although no one really knows why PEWs have more difficulty seeing than non-albino rats. This is not a major handicap as most rats use other senses to move.
9. They are prone to be dazzled
They are not just marks for magic tricks when they say they are often dazzled. Because they lack any protection pigment in their eyes, also means they are easily stunned by bright flashes of light.
10. Albino Rats Purr (Kind Of).
When they are happy or content, Albino rats will make a sound called “bruxing”, similar to a cat’s purr. Chattering between their teeth causes the noise. This helps to sharpen their teeth.
11. They groom themselves constantly
Albino rats are more likely to clean themselves than cats, despite their reputation as disgusting animals. They’ll spend about a third of their time cleaning their bodies. You don’t have to bathe them.
12. Albino Rats are commonly used as lab rats
The medical community experiments with albino rats for many reasons. They are docile, docile, and easy to purchase in large quantities. One of their greatest advantages is that they are genetically identical to humans. This allows us to get accurate information about how drugs will affect people long before human trials begin.
13. There are a variety of Albino Rats that have been bred exclusively for research purposes.
Scientists love Albino rats so much that many types have been bred specifically for lab use. These include the Long Evans, Long Evans, Wistar, and Lewis varieties.
14. Albino Rats are renowned for their compassion and empathy.
Albino rats will help any rodent they see in distress, even if it means that they may be putting their own safety at risk. They have shown remarkable empathy and loyalty, often helping to free their fellow rodents from their cages.
15. A Space Adventure by an Albino Rat
France sent Hector, an albino rodent, into space in 1961. Hector reached a height of at least 90 miles and was eventually recovered. Can you imagine his dreams that night?
16. These Rats are afraid of new things
Albino rats are “neophobic”, and are afraid of new situations. It can take them several hours to build up the courage to explore novel objects.
Albino rats are very nervous about eating new foods. They will nibble on it for several hours before finally getting into their food. Scientists believe this is due to the fact that they can’t vomit.
17. Some Albino Rats Are Hairless
Because scientists don’t have to deal with so many furs, hairless albino rats were created for research. You can keep hairless albinos as pets as they are just as easy to care for as regular rats.
18. Albino Rats have the first genetic mutation that was deliberately created by humans
Although albino rats were once common in the wild, they are now much more common than ever because breeders have targeted their genetic mutation. The mutation that gave rise to albino rats has been largely discarded, at least as far as making a significant contribution to the X-Men.
Last Thoughts
Albino rats are charming and cuddly. It’s not surprising that they are so popular. If forced to pick, however, we would have to say that the best albino rat fact to tell you is that they make wonderful pets.
Are albino rats uncommon?
One of the most frequent laboratory animals is the albino rat.
Are albino rats venomous?
Attacks on imported strangers by dominant colony males of an albino rat (Rattus norvegicus) strain resulted in a non-random distribution of bites, with the ventral trunk almost never attacked. Furthermore, vibrissae contact between the attacker and the defender interfered with bites to the defender’s head and upper back.
Are albino rats blind?
Albino rats have poor vision. Albino rats also take far longer to adjust to low-light circumstances than colored rats. Albino rats are significantly vision impaired or blind as a result of all of these characteristics. More information and sources on the eyesight of albino rats.
How old are white rats?
around 2 years Rats typically live for two years, however, some may live longer.
How much vision do albino rats have?
Albino rats, on the other hand, are most likely blind or extremely visually handicapped, with 20/1200 eyesight
Do white rats contract rabies?
Small rodents (such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are nearly never discovered to be rabies-infected and have never been reported to transmit rabies to people.
What illnesses do rats transmit?
Many infections can be transmitted by them, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia, and Salmonella. Wild rats may also cause significant property damage by gnawing through wiring in homes, automobile engines, and other locations.
What happens if you are scratched by a rat?
The major risk with rat bites is that you will acquire rat-bite fever, a sort of bacterial illness (RBF). Humans can get this disease if they are bitten or scratched by an infected rat. Petting or touching an infected animal can also spread the germs.
Are rats capable of making you sick?
HPS, Leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, plague, and typhus are all illnesses that certain mice and rats may transmit. Keeping mice and rats out of your house is the greatest method to protect yourself and your family from these diseases.
What do albino rats go by?
Rats with albino and hooded coats As a result, the albino rat came to be associated with laboratory rat.” Despite the fact that the name “albino rat” is now widely used,