Red Eye Dilute

Red eye dilute gives us some beautiful colours, although the name of the gene is slightly misleading - most red eye dilute rats actually have very dark ruby eyes, almost black except in certain lights.

• R - Black, wild type dominant so really "no effect"
• r - Red eye (recessive), dilutes black pigment to a warm beige colour

No other mutations at this locus have been reported. Although traditionally the "r" allele is said to be completely recessive, it can, depending on modifiers, when carried actually affect pigment, so a rat with the genetics aaRr is a rich chocolate colour. The most distinctive variety taking advantage of this effect is the havana (ruby eyed mocha), which is aammRr.

 

a/a R/R	Black based
a/a R/r	Diluted black (left)
a/a r/r	Buff
A/- r/r	Topaz