Black Marten BBR Elektra Ratchios

“Marten have some really cool dilution, creating pink or red eyes with darker pigmentation, giving the original name Red-Eyed Devils.”

The c^m Allele

Marten, or Red-Eyed Devils, is a mutation located on the C Locus alongside Albino, Himalayan and Tonkinese and is recessive to Wild typing and Tonkinese. The c^m, c^h, and c alleles are co-dominant to one another and will express themselves at the same time to some extent when paired generically. 

Marten have some really cool dilution, creating pink or red eyes with darker pigmentation, giving the original name Red-Eyed Devils. The yellow pigments are faded or removed creating a silvering or paleness to the fur. There is also sometimes a marbling effect in the Marten dilution, which can be breed against or for. The variance in this gene can be quite large making for some very amazing darker coats many of which are not typically seen in pink-eyed rats, though the colors fade over time. There is also a distinct pale masking around the eyes and snout.

Origins of the Marten

Marten is one of the younger mutations around, first being discovered in 2008 by René Bastiaanes in Holland. There is a possibility it came from German lab stock. He named them Red-Eyed Devil, or RED for short. In 2010 it was imported into the UK and renamed Marten by Toyah of Hawthorn Rats due to the likely confusion it could have caused with the Red Eyed Dilute gene which is also often shortened to RED, as well most likely do to the possible negative connotation the name may have to some people.

It seems like the mutation finally made it’s way to the U.S. (or at least the West Coast) in 2015. It quickly became popular and is now a very popular variation all over the US.

Cross-Genetics

The Marten mutation can be affected by many color mutations but Black and Russian Blue seems to be the most popular. The Black-Eyed mutation is also becoming popular in Martens, and though it may seem counter to a gene that allows dark colorings with pink or red eyes marbled Martens look quite unique with black eyes.

STANDARDS

            AFRMA [US] 

MARTEN – [Black] Body Colour to be similar in shade to an HB lead pencil, some fading to be expected in an adult. Some light heathering to be expected. Fur on the face to be lighter on the whisker bed, over the eyes and behind the ears. Belly colour a slightly paler shade of grey than the top. Foot colour to match top. Eyes pink.

[Agouti; called Silver Agouti in N.F.R.S.] To be a mix of mid grey ticking over a pale ivory ground, with no suggestion of blue or brown tones. Ticking to be darkest along the back and to fade down the sides to the pale ivory belly. Fur on the face to be lighter on the whisker bed and around the eyes. Eyes pink.”

RMCA [US]

Unstandardized

NFRS [UK] 

MARTEN – Body colour to be similar in shade to an HB lead pencil, some fading to be expected in an adult. Some light heathering to be expected. Fur on the face to be lighter on the whisker bed, over the eyes and behind the ears. Belly colour a slightly paler shade of grey than the top. Foot colour to match top. Eyes pink or black.
Faults: rusty patches, white toes or patches, darker points on the nose, tail root or feet.

SILVER AGOUTI – To be a mix of mid grey ticking over a pale ivory ground, with no suggestion of blue or brown tones. Ticking to be darkest along the back and to fade down the sides to the pale ivory belly. Fur on the face to be lighter on the whisker bed and around the eyes. Eyes pink or black.
Faults: rusty patches, white toes, darker points on nose, tail root and feet.

 

 

 

 

 

Marbled Marten

Gwen, 3mo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-Eyed Marten

Sablinova, 7mo

Kehypoints

  • The c^m locus is recessive.
  • Unlike other C locus alleles, martens only dilute the yellow pigment creating stunning dark coats with pink eyes.
  • Martens are a relatively new mutation, being just over a decade old discovered in 2008 by René Bastiaanes.
  • Originally named Red-Eyed Devils.
  • Can have a stunning marbling effect.

 

A Final Thought

Martens have swept the fancy rat scene in the past decade, quickly becoming one of the most popular varieties. Well at first breed for dark coats and red eyes, the marbled patterning is quickly becoming more prevalent and as well  and B.E. variants are becomng more common. Whether you are looking for a beautiful dark coated rat with stunning red eyes or a light marbled rat with standard eyes this line has some of the most unique offerings for you in both spectrums.

Bibliography

https://www.allesoverratten.nl/kleuren_en_variaties/kleuren/red/index.php
https://www.afrma.org/pdf/2016wssfp70-72.pdf
HTTPS://Www.afrma.org/ratunstdnonrec.htm#martenrat