Harley Rat

Coat and looks how to spot one

Long, fine, wispy coat

The Harley has a light, airy coat of fine, wispy, long straight hairs without a dense undercoat. The fur has a shine reminiscent of a satin, and the whiskers are fine and delicate.15

Personality what they are like

Like other fancy rats, a Harley is typically sociable, curious and affectionate with the people it knows.54

Daily activity how busy a day looks

As lively as any fancy rat. Most active around dusk and through the night, it needs daily supervised time out of the cage, things to climb and forage for, and short play or training sessions.46

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Rats groom themselves, so the fine Harley coat does not need brushing; handle gently and keep bedding clean and dust-free so the light coat stays tidy.146

Home where they are happiest

The largest multi-level rat cage you can fit, with shelves, ropes, ladders, hammocks and hideouts, dust-free bedding such as shredded paper, placed in a quiet room around 19-23 C away from direct sun and draughts.62

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.7

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.45

The story where it all began

The Harley coat turned up in a pet-shop rat in Washington State in 2002 and was taken on by Debbi J. Needham of Odd Fellows Rattery. It behaves as a recessive trait and remains an unrecognised, rarely seen coat type.1

Recognised by the official bits

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA)

Listed among AFRMA's non-recognized rat coats; not standardised.1