"High white" rats

[Skittles46]

Ok, I've seen this referenced many many times in reference to higher risk of genetic issues with rats especially. What to be totally honest I can't figure out is exactly what is defined as "high white". I have lots of hoodeds, I also have some with just the dark heads, and quite a few berks with white bellies, but some white going up further than their bellies as well. I also have PEW's, and a couple young ones I'm not sure what they are (maybe straight agouti?) with gray/brown/reddish fur with gray stomachs.
So when do they classify as high white, and do most breeders then cull them out?

[lord jackel]

An easier way to think about it it instead of using "high white" use "strange patterns" for the definers.

The stranger or more unique "special" the pattern the more likely the rats (or its parents) were bred specifically for that pattern...at the risk of everything else (this risk is usually health quality).

These strange patterned rats are also typically higher in white in non-typical locations (head, neck, feet, etc.)

Hope this helps.

Remember there is no guarantee that a low white rat won't carry mega or something else and no guarantee an odd patteren/ high white one will...the risk is just higher.

[littleindiangirl]

An easier way to think about it it instead of using "high white" use "strange patterns" for the definers.

The stranger or more unique "special" the pattern the more likely the rats (or its parents) were bred specifically for that pattern...at the risk of everything else (this risk is usually health quality).

These strange patterned rats are also typically higher in white in non-typical locations (head, neck, feet, etc.)

Hope this helps.

Remember there is no guarantee that a low white rat won't carry mega or something else and no guarantee an odd patteren/ high white one will...the risk is just higher.

Good post! If I were at home, I would post up pictures of my high white rats. Lol, one is a big lap rat, and the other are his mother and sister. All 3 display some very unique and quite beautiful markings, but I had bred before I knew about all the stuff about megacolon.

I know some people here choose to work with some very high white rats, and I'll admit they are very cute!

I can only advocate learning exactly what you have in your colony by line and inbreeding. You'll find issues this way, along with megacolon. Those rats that produced megacolon shouldn't be bred.

High white is mostly dominant, although there are a few different genes to produce different markings. Best way to know is by asking if a certain rat(s) is high white, we do pretty good letting others know what markings and colors they're dealing with.

Now post some pictures!!!

[Skittles46]

Ok but I have to warn you I tend to go picture crazy when people ask for them! LOL.

Slightly off topic first, I seem to not be able to figure out if this is straight agouti or something different, I have 5 or 6 or them from PEW mama's.



Her tummy color:


Alright, one of my questions, I was assuming these were just not perfect hoodeds, but is this part of what is meant by high white (Not counting the PEW)?



Some of my little gals look similar as well, with PEW mama's and unknown daddys:

[Skittles46]

Ack, yes, its cleaning day! LOL. They're all due to be cleaned later.

Another off topic question, any clue what these two are, I haven't been able to peg them either:

Girl, I'm pretty sure is Berk, but whats her top color?


One of my bigger boys , same colored tummy:


And...for both question and who doesn't like babies sake!

[littleindiangirl]

OK, lets see if I can get this. hahaha

First agouti, does look to be just an agouti, although it may be cinnamon. I cant really tell from the picture, but he looks pretty light brown.

The 2 rats in the second picture, the black capped and agouti capped are considered high white, although I do have my own capped female that throws berks and caps consistently and equally. I don't completely consider capped too high white, although some do and should be watched a little more closely.

The litter picture does have an animal with a head spot, stay away from head spots if you can, since they too are produced by the White spotting gene and are considered high white.


The third female is a beige berkshire.

Fourth boy looks to be a fawn self (self= full bodied colored, no white spots)

The last litter pics look good. Just a bunch of hooded black rats. Just that one older female with the head spot.

I personally am not crazy about marked animals and really prefer the solids and low white animals.

[littleindiangirl]

Oh! I forgot about these 2 posts. These are examples of some very high white rats. Notice in particular the head markings, the blazes, odd-eyed, high white sides.... all high white markings and really should be avoided.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showp...6&postcount=27

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showp...0&postcount=33

[Skittles46]

Thanks!

Too bad, I really like the white head markings lol, think it makes them stand out. I guess thats kindof the point though huh. There are 3 I believe, out of that litter of 7 with the head markings, and I think both males (there were only 2) have them.

My hubby is with you though, he prefers the solid colors, darker the better. Still likes the berks though, which is a good thing considering we have a significant amount of black berks as well. 3 out of 4 of the boys we have right now are hooded though, so I think his chances are slim lol. The fawn self is the other boy.

[tigerlily]

Here's a pic of a high white rat with unusual markings. He's a cute little boy, but I haven't decided whether or not to keep him.

[kc261]

Oh my gosh! That little guy is SO cute! Sorta looks like a raccoon or a ferret with that black mask over his eyes!