Do hooded RATS live shorter lives than other types of pet rats?

Question

I'm deciding on buying 2 young male rats about 7 weeks old. They are brothers. One is hooded, the other is all charcoal coloured except for his tummy and limbs. The hooded one's hood is also charcoal coloured. So I think maybe one of the parents were hooded and the other isn't

I want to know if it is true if hooded rats live shorter lives than other pet rats. I've had a female agouti brown rat and a cream coloured female rat before that lived together. And they live over 2 years.

I remember reading somewhere that hooded rats only live up to 1.5 years. I want to know if this is true. If it is, will the brother of the hooded rat also live shorter, since its a half hooded.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Never heard that. Lifespan has little to nothing to do with coloration. It has to do with genetics, health, quality of care, etc.

My oldest hooded was 2 yr 4 months old and she passed away from a tumor.

I currently have 2 hooded males, but they're still youngsters. I have every intention of seeing them pass their 2 yr birthdays, as well.

Rats from pet stores may have shorter lifespans than rats from breeders, due to NOT being bred for quality health. There are exceptions there, though. My ''pet shop'' girls are over 2 1/2 yrs old and going strong.

Answer 2

OK, they advice about hooded rats living up to 1.5 years is NOT TRUE! I have had a lot of hooded rats in the past. My hooded rats have all lived up to at least 2 years of age. Most of them have lived to be three-four. All rats should have about the same life-span. I have had my current hoody for about two years now and she is still very active and will prob. live for at least another one-two years.

Answer 3

No, hooded rats just refers to their markings, they're no different then others.  Of course, pet store rats (Commonly hooded as that's a dominant marking and they mass-breed hooded rats) don't live as long as rats from a good breeder typically.

Really, the only rats with 'shorter' lifespans are hairless and rexes, but that's a coat difference, and the difference in life span isn't much (and is very rat-by-rat.).   As long as you feed them a good food, and get veterinary care whenever they're sick, they should live jsut as long as the others. :)

Answer 4

like te person before me said they are known for the markings so they should live the same amount of time as a regular rat!

good luck! ☺♥♥☺