Gray Rats

**Russell** · 01-29-07, 02:18 PM

Here is my pair of White Oak Gray Rats. Now, from what I've been told by others, White Oak Gray Rats are not some gene like say, amel, or hypo, that is in gray rats. It's just a pretty marketing term used to help move the lighter colored animals. But, I guess that is something no one has proven yet. Taking a dark gray rat and breeding to a white oak animal, and then breeding their offspring and getting results.

What's likely going on is variation such as my Northern Pines. There are animals in the population that are high white rather than dark cream and brown background. These white animals are highly prized. But they aren't a genetic mutation, just a variation of genes that come together in the mix to create such an animal. But by breeding high white to high white, you can hopefully creat more high white animals. That is have more high white babies in a clutch than cream colored ones.

Anyhow, enough of that. Here is my pair. The male is a monster, well over six feet and seven years old this year. The female is three this year. What happened was, when I got the male, I had ordered a pair, but several years down the road I discovered, hey. These are both boys! So I bought two females from John Meltzer. And eventually sold the one pair. I regret that, as this male I have is huge, but his brother is about half a foot or so longer and bigger! But this smaller (sic, he's six and a half feet long!) is prettier, more white to him. He's a gentle giant, never offers to bite.

His girlfriend on the other hand, will nail you time and time again! She's NASTY! So I have to pull a Steve Irwin dance every time it's time to clean her cage. And I hope when I shoot my hand in that I get her behind the head. Too far down the neck and I'm going to get nailed!

Weebonilass · 01-29-07, 02:33 PM

He's gorgeous, Tom... she doesn't sound like it though

**Russell** · 01-29-07, 02:54 PM

who's Tom?

Weebonilass · 01-29-07, 02:59 PM

.. blushing... Sorry Russell... trying to do spreadsheets, listening in on a phone conference call and take a peek over here apparently is more tasks that I can handle at one time

He's still a gorgeous snake

**Joni Garcia** · 01-29-07, 09:32 PM

I'm really impressed by the variety of your snake collection. Beautiful snakes.

**Tom Thompson** · 01-29-07, 10:03 PM

Russell That is a beautiful pair of White Oaks!I Hope you have a successful year breeding them!

**CornCrazy** · 01-30-07, 12:38 AM

Wow...your white oaks look WAY different from mine. I'll have to try to get some current pics of mine soon.

**Russell** · 01-30-07, 12:49 AM

ah, please do share them! I'd love to see them!

**vanderkm** · 01-30-07, 01:59 PM

Very nice - really like the female. Look forward to seeing the results of your crosses with these!!

mary v.

**CornCrazy** · 01-31-07, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Russell

ah, please do share them! I'd love to see them!

I will try to get them posted in the next day or two. Is it OK for me to post them here? Or would you prefer that I post them in their own thread?