Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dumbo Rat
BeginnerRattus norvegicus 'Dumbo'
A fancy rat type whose ears sit low on the sides of the head instead of on top, looking large and round. Named after Dumbo the elephant, it is recessive and shows only when both parents pass on the gene.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
18〜26℃
Lifespan
About 2–3 years (captive maximum about 4 years)
Size
As for the brown rat: about 40cm nose to tail on average, 140–500g (males larger)
Humidity
40〜60%
Diet
Omnivore; rat pellets as the staple with small amounts of vegetables
About
The dumbo rat is a type of fancy rat, the domesticated form of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), that differs in where its ears sit. It originated in the United States: the ears are set low on the sides of the head rather than on top, so they look large and round, and it is named after Dumbo the flying elephant. Fancy rats have no breeds in the dog or cat sense; they are described by colour, coat, markings and body type, so dumbo combines with any of these, as in a "ruby-eyed cinnamon rex dumbo". The trait is recessive: dumbo × dumbo gives all dumbos, while dumbo × standard gives standard-eared pups that carry the gene. A 2012 study traced it to a 5,777-base deletion about 80kb downstream of the Hmx1 gene on chromosome 14, removing a region that switches the gene on in developing facial tissue. To tell them apart, look at ear position: standard ears stand on top of the head, dumbo ears open low beside the cheeks. Care is the same as for any fancy rat. In Japan, specialists that handle fancy rats sell them under the dumbo name.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Dumbo Rat
The Dumbo Rat lives About 2–3 years (captive maximum about 4 years).
Size of the Dumbo Rat
The Dumbo Rat grows to As for the brown rat: about 40cm nose to tail on average, 140–500g (males larger).
Basic Info
Origin
A fancy rat type developed in the United States (the wild brown rat is Eurasian)
Lifespan
About 2–3 years (captive maximum about 4 years)
Size
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Rattus norvegicus 'Dumbo' (Berkenhout, 1769)
Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF: Rattus norvegicus
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Not covered by CITES, the Invasive Alien Species Act or the specified-animal rules; animals on sale are bred in Japan. Never release captive animals into the wild.
Sources: Species+ CITES query (not listed) / Ministry of the Environment: Invasive Alien Species list, incl. species requiring a species-name certificate (JA)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Dumbo Rat Listings
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