AFRMA Fancy Rats - Silvered

The following are the rat silvered colors as recognized by the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association. See Fancy Rat Genes for genetics. See also the series of Rat Genetics articles.

The coat is evenly interspersed with white hairs.

General Silvered Faults – Not enough Silvering; faded or rusty color; mottling or shading of color; light underparts, except where otherwise noted; white feet.

General Silvered Disqualifications – White spot on the body; white on the tail.
See the Standards book for additional details on each color.

For complete details of these Standards including points, faults, and disqualifications, please refer to the AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.

Note: The pictures on this page are not meant to be true representatives of the animal’s color. Because of differences in monitors (CRT/LCD) and how the monitor is adjusted, the colors may be different. Seeing in person is always best.

Amber Silver Black Silver Blue Silver Chocolate Silver Fawn Silver Lilac Silver Mink

AMBER - Color is a light golden fawn, evenly interspersed with light hairs. Belly color to be light but not white. Eye color is red. Note: is a light Silver Fawn; P.E. Agouti or P.E. Cinnamon. [Moved from AOC to Silvered December 8, 2018.] Amber rat, photo ©1984 Geri Hauser. Read the article Beige/Champagne vs. Fawn/Amber Rats, a.k.a. Black Colors vs. Agouti Colors
SILVER BLACK - Color is dark charcoal, the blacker the better, evenly ticked with silvered hairs throughout. Eye color is black. (Geri Hauser) Note: At the present time most Silver Blacks come in Dalmatian. [Standardized April 12, 1992] Silver Black heavy Dalmatian rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins. Photo ©2011 Karen Robbins. For more photos, see the AFRMA Facebook page: KK Dalmatian Rats (2101) or on web site AFRMA articles: Dalmatian & Variegated Rats: Test Breeding For Genetics. Seeing Spots: Dalmatian Rats.
SILVER BLUE - Color to be a medium blue with silver-white hairs evenly distributed throughout the coat. A lighter undercolor is preferred. Eye color is black. [Standardized August 7, 1999] Note: Came out of Russian Blue breedings; first showing May 20, 1995; in breeder stock in 1994; color similar to Sky Blue but brighter in color, with silvering and the Russian ticking/heathering; a.k.a. Russian Silver in the N.F.R.S.; is Blue + Russian Blue Silver Blue rat owned and bred by Linda Sinclair. Photo ©1999 Craig Robbins.
SILVER CHOCOLATE - To be a deep rich chocolate, as even as possible, devoid of dinginess or patches. The coat should contain equal numbers of silvered and non-silvered hairs. Each silvered hair to have as much of its length white as possible - a colored tip to be allowed. Silvering to give an overall sparkling appearance. Eyes black. (English N.F.R.S.) (added July 26, 1987) Silver Chocolate rat owned by Donna Kingsley. Photo ©1988 Larry Ferris.
SILVER FAWN - To be rich orange fawn, evenly ticked with silver guard hairs. Belly fur to be white. The definition between top color and white belly to be sharp and clear cut, devoid of brindling. Eyes red. (English N.F.R.S.) Note: is a P.E. Agouti; Amber is a light version of Silver Fawn Silver Fawn rat owned by Gina Hendricks, bred by Linda Sinclair. Photo ©1998 Craig Robbins. Read the article Beige/Champagne vs. Fawn/Amber Rats, a.k.a. Black Colors vs. Agouti Colors
SILVER LILAC - Color to be dove gray with a blueish sheen. Coat is evenly ticked with silver white hairs throughout. Eye color is black. Note: Came out of Karen Hauser’s Lilac breedings in 1979; Lilac and Mink look similar (just selected for different shades) and work the same in producing other colors but are not the same gene; a.k.a. American Mink or mock Mink Silver Lilac rat (moulting) owned by Emily Grammer, bred by Bonnie Walters. Photo ©2014 Karen Robbins. Read the article Untested ‘Recessive Pearl’ Rats
SILVER MINK - To be an even mid gray-brown devoid of dinginess or patches and having a distinct blueish sheen. The coat should contain equal numbers of silvered and non-silvered hairs. Each silvered hair to have as much of its length white as possible – a colored tip to be allowed. Silvering to give an overall sparkling appearance. Eyes black. (English N.F.R.S.) Note: Mink and Lilac look similar (just selected for different shades) and work the same in producing other colors but are not the same gene Silver Mink rat (8 weeks old) owned and bred by Mayumi Anderson. Photo ©2013 Karen Robbins. For more photos, see the AFRMA Facebook page: KK Mink, Silver Mink, and Pearl Rats (2142) or on web site

For complete details of the Standards including points, faults, eliminations, and disqualifications, please refer to the AFRMA Show Regulations & Standards book.

Purchase the AFRMA Official Color Standards Rat book.

Updated March 27, 2023