Dumbo Rat

Coat and looks how to spot one

Dumbo ear type (low-set, round ears); found with any coat, including standard, rex and satin

A Dumbo is a fancy rat whose ears sit much lower down on the sides of the head than usual, opening outwards so they look big, round and saucer-like. Ear shapes vary: breeders talk of open saucer ears, tulip ears that look pointed until gently flattened, and creased ears folded at the tip. The base of the ear is wider and more open than a standard rat's, and the back of the skull is often a little more rounded. Any coat type and colour can come with dumbo ears.17823

Personality what they are like

Dumbo ears are a looks-only trait, so these rats share the same warm, inquisitive nature as other fancy rats. Handled kindly from a young age they become tame, affectionate companions that like to explore, play and learn simple tricks.36

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Just as lively as any fancy rat. Most active from dusk into the night, they need daily supervised time outside the cage plus climbing, foraging toys and short training sessions to keep busy and content.69

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Self-grooming rats that need no regular brushing or bathing. A quick look at the ears during the daily handling session, regular spot-cleaning of the cage and fresh bedding keep things tidy.610

Home where they are happiest

The same set-up as any pet rat: the biggest multi-level cage you can fit, with shelves, ropes, ladders, hammocks and hideouts, dust-free bedding such as cellulose or shredded paper, and a quiet spot kept at roughly 19-23 C, out of direct sun and draughts.94

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete rat nugget or pellet as the daily staple, with small portions of vegetables, a little fruit, grains and cooked egg counted into the ration. Keep sugary or fatty bits for training rewards, scatter some food to encourage foraging, and provide fresh water from a bottle at all times.10

Company who they like around

A very sociable animal that should share its home with at least one other rat, in a same-sex pair or small group or a neutered mixed pair, and enjoys daily time with its people.63

The story where it all began

Dumbo rats are a fairly young variety. The ear type appeared in one breeder's stock in northern California around 1991 and was confirmed as a breeding trait in 1993. The rats were shown at events of the San Francisco based Rat, Mouse and Hamster Fanciers club, where other breeders took an interest, and the variety spread through the American fancy during the 1990s. The AFRMA adopted a Dumbo standard on 18 April 1998. The name comes from Disney's flying elephant. Dumbos later reached Britain and other countries, and the National Fancy Rat Society has its own standard for them, though they are absent from Australia, which does not import foreign rodents. In 2012 a research team found that the trait is recessive and linked to a missing stretch of DNA that controls the Hmx1 gene, which guides how the outer ear forms.213711

Recognised by the official bits

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA)

Standardised on 18 April 1998. Shown in any recognised colour, marking or variety; the key feature is large, round ears set low on the sides of the head.1

National Fancy Rat Society (UK)

Listed among the NFRS Rex/Dumbo varieties. Its standard wants low-set ears that stand out at a clear angle, slightly furled at the top, on a head of normal rat proportions.7