What Kinds of Rats are There? The domesticated rat, unlike the dog or cat, does not have what you would call separate "breeds". They do have what you would call "variations" though... Body Variations... Standard: This is your original "classic" variety of rat. That which is most like it's wild cousin. Most rats you see in pet shops and laboratories fall into this category. Standard rats have smaller well shaped ears which sit on the top of their head, a long slender tail, and all the other normal features of a rat. Dumbo: This variety of rat has ears which are set lower and more to the sides of their head, and the ears are larger and more round. Dumbos can also have a stockier build compared to that of the standard rat. Manx (aka Tailless): This variety of rat is born with no tail, or just a little nub of a tail. Manxes can be smaller than your standard rat and have shortened bodies that tend to be more rounded in shape. Their hind legs are usually longer than their front legs, giving a more rabbity appearance. Note: Manx rats need special care. A rat's tail is what helps regulate a rat's body temperature. Manxes, due to there lack of having a tail, are then very susceptible to the heat and getting heatstroke. You need to keep their environment's temperature as close to 72 degrees as possible. Manx babies are also sometimes born with spinal deformities/dysfunctioning bowels. Coat Variations... Standard: This is the most common hair type for rats. The standard coat is short and straight, lying flat and smooth along the rat's body. Whiskers are long and straight. Satin: This variety of hair is longer, thinner, and has a very lustrous sheen to it. Whiskers are long and straight. Velveteen: This variety of hair has a much softer texture and is wavy or rippled, giving the coat a fluffy, feathery appearance. Whiskers can be slightly curled at the ends. Rex:This variety of hair has a much coarser texture and is dense and curly. Whiskers may be curled and somewhat shorter than the standard rat's. Note: Rex's are prone to balding spots throughout their lives. This is not an indication of illness for them, but a normal part of their development. Hairless: This variety of rat is almost completely hairless (although there can be some fuzz on the face, ankles, and pubic areas.) Whiskers are short and tightly curled. Notice how you can tell that this would have been a hooded rat had she had hair. Note: Hairless rats need special care and are very susceptible to the cold without their hair to insulate them. You must keep their environment's temperature as close to 72 degrees as possible, and they must have at least one cagemate to cuddle with to help keep warm. Without a protective coat of hair, they are also more prone to getting scratches while interacting with their cage mates. Hairless rats are more prone to having eye problems due to there lack of fur, especially if you use wood based litters. Hairless rats are great for people with allergies. Double Rex (aka Partial Hairless or Patchwork): This variety of rat has patches of furred areas and patches of bald areas which may tend to "wander" over the rats body. In other words hair is prone to grow in and fall out in different patterns causing a patchwork effect. Whiskers are short and tightly curled. Note: Double Rex rats need special care and are very susceptible to the cold without their hair to insulate them. You must keep their environment's temperature as close to 72 degrees as possible, and they must have at least one cagemate to cuddle with to help keep warm. Without a protective coat of hair, they are also more prone to getting scratches while interacting with their cage mates. Double rex rats are more prone to having eye problems due to there lack of fur, especially if you use wood based litters. Miscellaneous... All of the rat varieties listed above have the same basic rat temperament. If you are looking for a more unusual rat, you will probably need to go to a breeder. Pet shops generally only carry standards in only a few basic colors. Rats can have a noticeable variation to there basic features even within the same litter. Some can have small inset eyes, while some can have large bulbous eyes. Some can have tight muscular bodies, while some can have very soft squishy bodies. In general males are larger, but you can have a male who is small and a female who is larger. In the show community there is a set standard to what all these features should be, but for your everyday animal companion it doesn't matter.