The Changing World Of Small Pets

Don Harper considers some of the new varieties of small pet that have become available over recent years.

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O​​​​​​ne of the characteristic features of rodents and rabbits is, of course, that they tend to breed fast. As a result, this means that when a colour or coat variant does crop up, it is then generally possible to increase the numbers of such individuals quickly, within a relatively short space of time, thanks to our knowledge of genetics.

It is easy to forget just how many different varieties which are now popular today were virtually unknown or simply did not exist at the turn of this century. These include the dumbo rat, with its distinctive low set and flattened ears, which gives this variety a very distinctive appearance. Dumbo rats - named after the popular Disney character - first cropped up during the 1990s in litters of fancy rats bred in the northwestern USA. The first examples were subsequently imported to the UK in may 1999, and had Siamese patterning.

It may seem strange today, as dumbo rats have become so well-known, but back then, the emerging breed was considered to be quite controversial, partly because of the position of its ears. There was fears that such rats could be afflicted by deafness, or might even have a brain deformity! This was because these rats were said to have a more laid-back personality than other pet rats.

Thankfully, such concerns proved to be totally misplaced, and the appealing look of the dumbo has gone on to win the hearts of many people seeking pet rats. Furthermore, the opportunity to combine the dumbo characteristic with any of the colours, patterns or coat types that are recognised in the fancy has meant that they have established a strong following amongst breeders as well.

The underlying cause