Rusting?

[Melissa's ZOO]

Since I saw lilspaz's post about her girl and her rusting I had to ask.

My Clover 18 months and Lilly 19 months both have began to rust. Is it bad that they are still young and rusting already?

 

[jorats]

No, I wouldn't say it's bad, I've had rats start rusting at 12 months. I've never connected it to aging faster.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Okay good. I was afraid it meant that they were aging faster. :wink:

 

[Moon]

I have a girl who is only 8 months old, and I think she's beginning to rust juuuust a bit.

 

[mamarat2]

Yah we have had a few black berks that start to rust early.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Clover is the black berk in my Avatar and Lilly is a blue hooded.

 

[user 78]

I believe it's just a certain way their genetics line up that cause the color to change over time. Depending on how strong the gene is determines how quickly they rust, patterning, etc.. Just like some blacks are a richer black, and some blues are a deeper blue.

 

[Lise]

Yup, rusting is genetic.

I have had rats that began to show rusting with their first molt at 3 months of age!

 

[jorats]

Anybody know if some breeders consider that a bad trait in their lines? Just curious...

 

[user 78]

Not a seriously bad trait, but something the breeders I know try to breed out when possible. Every rat will rust eventually, but they try to match things up so they keep their color till a ripe old age.

 

[Lise]

Yes, it is considered a 'fault' in the show ring. Breeders work to get pure rich colors that do not rust. Not that it always works.

 

[PiedPiper]

Yah we have had a few black berks that start to rust early.

Is "rusting" when an otherwise black-coated rat's fur starts to take on a bronze or brownish tinge? Our black berk (Earl) is not a true, deep black but has quite a few silver hairs. He's quite young now, but I imagine this will really be evident as he matures. Is this called, "silvering" and also considered a fault in the show ring? Of course, it's of no matter to us, in fact, Natalie couldn't be more pleased about it because Earl's full name happens to be Earl Grey.

 

[user 78]

Yes, rusting tends to turn to a black reddish brown on bits of their body. Usually the lower back and side are the places you really start to see it. Silvering is just like grey hairs. They'll have white hairs mixed in with their normal coat color.

 

[lilspaz68]

rusting black (Saffi's butt and very interesting hoodie pattern)

This is the other side so you see that she has a black head and forequarters

and silvering black (Bear at 10 weeks old)

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

See I LOVE the silvering. My Black baby Mimizy, went from Jet black to haveing all these very pretty silver hairs I love it she is so pretty. I figured it had to do with the fact that her Daddy was a solid blue just like my Jazmine (they are brother and sister).

My blue hooded Lilly has also started to rust right behind her front legs, more of a tan than a dark rust.

 

[PiedPiper]

rusting black (Saffi's butt and very interesting hoodie pattern)

This is the other side so you see that she has a black head and forequarters

Oh, wow! Isn't that funny how it's only on her hindquarters! I never would've believed I was looking at pictures of the same rat! :lol:

Our Earl looks a little like your Bear. I love the silvering too, Melissa's Zoo! It makes their fur look shimmery!

 

[Bronwyn]

Elphie's a big ball of rust right now, lol. When I adopted them they were about 8 months old and sooooo rusty. I didn't know what it was called and was so confused when it disappeared and returned, lol.

Edit: Elphie's is primarily on her butt too. :lol: