Help identifying..

My lovely rat momma, India. I'm not sure what I would call this one.. She's deep gray with a little blue to it, however as she has aged the fur on her lower back, just above the tail, has become patchy/moulting into a lighter brown.

A hooded mink? Maybe Lilac?

You're thoughts on this..

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7123.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7662.jpg

This is a tough one because of the lighting. Could be American Blue or Mink. Can you get an outside picture of her, shooting down? It's usually the best way to get their true color. Also, make sure your camera isn't too close that the flash washes her out.

The spot above her tail is rusting, it's normal in rats. Diet can cause it, also the exposure to too much light and with Minks, it's just happens. They are rusty and have odd molting patterns throughout their lives. lol

That said, she LOOKS American Blue. :)

I recently switched foods from Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health to Mazuri. I noticed the rusting about a few days ago so it could be the food. She's close to 3 months and +250g - would that be old enough for molting?. I had not considered American blue, the darkest part of her back makes me think Slate blue?

No flash, natural day light...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7023.jpg


No flash, average room lighting...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7711.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7710.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by purple python

I recently switched foods from Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health to Mazuri. I noticed the rusting about a few days ago so it could be the food. She's close to 3 months and +250g - would that be old enough for molting?. I had not considered American blue, the darkest part of her back makes me think Slate blue?

No flash, natural day light...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7023.jpg


No flash, average room lighting...

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7711.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_7710.jpg

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Definitely American Blue. Slate Blue is just a labeled shade of American Blue. I tend to stay away from calling them Slate, Sky, Powder, etc. Technically, if she doesn't have a light undercoat and a dark top coat, they consider her shade British Blue.

Rats molt throughout their life. Babies molt 2-3 times by the time they are 3 months. Then adults randomly molt throughout their lives.

Kaytee is a horrible diet, you'll have better results with Mazuri. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Michelle.C

Definitely American Blue. Slate Blue is just a labeled shade of American Blue. I tend to stay away from calling them Slate, Sky, Powder, etc. Technically, if she doesn't have a light undercoat and a dark top coat, they consider her shade British Blue.

Rats molt throughout their life. Babies molt 2-3 times by the time they are 3 months. Then adults randomly molt throughout their lives.

Kaytee is a horrible diet, you'll have better results with Mazuri. :)

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Thanks a bunch for clearing this up!

The rats definitely love Mazuri and are doing great, glad I switched. :-)