OUR LINES
RUBY SIAMESE LINES
LINES: Black Eye | Ruby Eye
COLORS: Seal Point | Agouti Point
ESTABLISHED: 2017
Like Siamese cats, Siamese rats are distinguished from other rats due to their light bodies with color at the nose, ears, feet and rump. These darker points is due to something called Acromelanism, which is thermo-sensitive, meaning the color is darkest at the cooler parts of the body. The points and overall color also tends to be darkest in cooler months, and lighter in warmer months.
Siamese rats are born a beige color and this fades to a cream color everywhere except the cold points; nose, ears, feet and rump. Siamese, along with Himalayan, were discovered in a lab in England and imported in 4 pairs to the US, where they were unfortunately bred without much focus on temperament and health and it has taken the dedication of many breeders in the states to reverse this unfortunate start and today you can find Siamese with temperaments that match any other well bred variety.
Here at Kaiza's Maineiac Mischief Rattery, we are also working on a modifier that has popped up in our Siamese line. We are calling them "Ruby Siamese" for the time being. Ruby Siamese are very dark as babies, comparable to a burmese or tonkinese. They are a medium brown with limited to no shading on the shoulders, being one solid color from nose to tail. As they grow, the points tend to develop quicker than regular Siamese, typically showing as points (rather than receding shading) around 4-5 weeks. As adults, they have darker body tones, with visible ticking for agouti point. They have dark ruby eyes, similar to the eye color of begie rats (deep red, almost indistinguishable from black without close inspection or the use of lights). They have large, dark and broad points, usually extending beyond the eyes. The goal for this line is to eventually get the adult color even darker, being similar in shade to South African Sable Siamese, which are not in the United States due to restrictions in importation from African countries. We hope this goal is achievable!
To learn more about Ruby Siamese and the progress of them, visit the Ruby Siamese Project section!
Siamese rats are born a beige color and this fades to a cream color everywhere except the cold points; nose, ears, feet and rump. Siamese, along with Himalayan, were discovered in a lab in England and imported in 4 pairs to the US, where they were unfortunately bred without much focus on temperament and health and it has taken the dedication of many breeders in the states to reverse this unfortunate start and today you can find Siamese with temperaments that match any other well bred variety.
Here at Kaiza's Maineiac Mischief Rattery, we are also working on a modifier that has popped up in our Siamese line. We are calling them "Ruby Siamese" for the time being. Ruby Siamese are very dark as babies, comparable to a burmese or tonkinese. They are a medium brown with limited to no shading on the shoulders, being one solid color from nose to tail. As they grow, the points tend to develop quicker than regular Siamese, typically showing as points (rather than receding shading) around 4-5 weeks. As adults, they have darker body tones, with visible ticking for agouti point. They have dark ruby eyes, similar to the eye color of begie rats (deep red, almost indistinguishable from black without close inspection or the use of lights). They have large, dark and broad points, usually extending beyond the eyes. The goal for this line is to eventually get the adult color even darker, being similar in shade to South African Sable Siamese, which are not in the United States due to restrictions in importation from African countries. We hope this goal is achievable!
To learn more about Ruby Siamese and the progress of them, visit the Ruby Siamese Project section!
SPOTTED TABBY
COLORS: Russian Blue | Black | American Mink | Dove
ESTABLISHED: 2016
Found in feeder stock at New England Reptile Distributors (NERD) in NH in 2013, Spotted Tabby, also called Marble, is similar in appearance to Merle, however, unlike Merle, the gene can express on non-mink colors, which has made it quite popular. It is a dominant gene and often has a dorsal stripe, although it doesnt always have this characteristic trait. The gene that is responsible for the coloration causes parts of the color to be faded, while leaving other parts at its normal darkness. This gives a marbled appearance.
Spotted Tabby is a dominant gene and presents best on darker colors. Lighter colors do not show up well in contrast.
Spotted Tabby is a dominant gene and presents best on darker colors. Lighter colors do not show up well in contrast.
Line characteristics
Our Marble line, in general, tend to be smaller in size, despite babies from this line being very large and chunky. Females are petite and males are only slightly larger as adults. This line is energetic and playful, curious and confident. This line is good for those who want an active companion, who is interested in trick training, etc.Health is good, with no known genetic health conditions (possibility of tumors, URI, and other issues with environmental factors), including small eye or malocclusion which are often found in Marble lines.
D'ARGENT
COLORS: American Blue | Russian Blue | Black | American Mink | Dove | Russian Silver
ESTABLISHED: 2017
D'Argent, also referred to as Silvermane, are new to the pet trade. They originated from Squeaks and Nibbles Rattery in North Carolina who got them from a feeder breeder in 2012. She had 2 different breeding lines that she worked with and eventually began releasing them from both lines to the public in 2014. For a time, D'Argent was considered an aggressive variety due to one of the lines developing aggression, reportedly only displaying in D'Argent, leading people to believe it was a gene related issue. However, now that the variety has been better established, it can be assured that any aggression is a line related issue, rather than a gene specific issue.
D'Argent is considered a fur type as it affects the fur quality, making it softer. The tips of the fur are clear, which gives the frosted look (although not to be confused with the variety "Frosted"). D'Argent can display on any fur color or other varieties, although it is best on darker colors to give better contrast.
D'Argent is considered a fur type as it affects the fur quality, making it softer. The tips of the fur are clear, which gives the frosted look (although not to be confused with the variety "Frosted"). D'Argent can display on any fur color or other varieties, although it is best on darker colors to give better contrast.
LINE CHARACTERISTICS
This line, in general, is much larger than our other lines. Females still typically petite but larger overall body size. This line tends to be more mellow, with males in particular calming down quite early. This line is good for those who want a companion to relax or cuddle with. Health is good, with no known genetic health conditions (possibility of tumors, URI, and other issues with environmental factors)
ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL TRAITS
These are not individual lines, but are additional traits that are added to at least one of our lines listed above.
DWARF
LINE: Marble | D'Argent | Siamese
RECESSIVE - CARRIED
Dwarf originated from a lab and were dispersed to select ratteries, Most of whom are no longer breeding. Today they are not very common although they are becoming more so.
There is a misconception about Dwarf rats and their care. Do not take their small size as an excuse to keep them in small cages. Dwarf rats do not differ much in terms of energy from their standard counterparts and need the same amount of space, however, care needs to be taken when considering bar spacing in particular as they are 1/3 the size of a standard rat and can slip through bars that are too far apart.
There is also conflicting statements about whether or not they can be housed with standard rats. As with any pairing, you should do the proper introductions and if you see any aggression, you should remove the Dwarf promptly. Although they are small, if introduced properly to non aggressive rats, they should be able to live in harmony together. Rats do not discriminate based on size. If a rat is quarrelsome, it will go after any rat. In this instance, it would be best to consider removing the aggressor or the dwarfs, as they are smaller and could be injured easier.
Dwarf rats still have the same health issues as their standard counterparts, although there has been a study done that indicates that Dwarf rats may be more resistant to tumors due to their lack of growth hormones.
Temperament wise, Dwarf rats are no different from standard rats. They are how they are bred. It should be noted though, that because of their small size, they can be more challenging in their baby stage, they could be harder to contain when nervous or spooked and tend to have more energy as babies than their standard counterparts.
There is a misconception about Dwarf rats and their care. Do not take their small size as an excuse to keep them in small cages. Dwarf rats do not differ much in terms of energy from their standard counterparts and need the same amount of space, however, care needs to be taken when considering bar spacing in particular as they are 1/3 the size of a standard rat and can slip through bars that are too far apart.
There is also conflicting statements about whether or not they can be housed with standard rats. As with any pairing, you should do the proper introductions and if you see any aggression, you should remove the Dwarf promptly. Although they are small, if introduced properly to non aggressive rats, they should be able to live in harmony together. Rats do not discriminate based on size. If a rat is quarrelsome, it will go after any rat. In this instance, it would be best to consider removing the aggressor or the dwarfs, as they are smaller and could be injured easier.
Dwarf rats still have the same health issues as their standard counterparts, although there has been a study done that indicates that Dwarf rats may be more resistant to tumors due to their lack of growth hormones.
Temperament wise, Dwarf rats are no different from standard rats. They are how they are bred. It should be noted though, that because of their small size, they can be more challenging in their baby stage, they could be harder to contain when nervous or spooked and tend to have more energy as babies than their standard counterparts.