This page shows various ages and colors of Satin rats. Satin rats are distinguished by their curled/wavy whiskers, darker/deeper looking color, and shinier/finer/longer coats. As newborns, you can tell the Satins by their whiskers that are wavy/curled and lay more against the head vs. Standards that have straight whiskers that stick out from the head. As the coat comes in, the Satins will be darker/deeper in color compared to their same color siblings. As they get more fur, the coats are longer, thinner, and finer. Darker colors will look “sparkly” and lighter colors like Siamese will be “yellower.” Satins will also go through a non-shiny phase as young adults so the way to tell at that age is to look at their bellies. Many also tend to be smaller in size and narrower in body so remember to always breed for good bone and size in your Satins. For more on Satins see the article Simply...Slick.

See the article on Satin Rats with close-up photos of whiskers.

8-day-old Russian Blue Hooded females. The ones on both ends are Satin, the two middle ones are Standards. At this age you can tell the Satins from the Standards by the darker color compared to their Standard littermates, in addition to the whiskers. All have poor spine markings for Hooded. The one on the far right would be a potential breeder for Barebacks—just need to get rid of the color on the tail and the spots on the spine. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

9-day-old Russian Blue litter with a Satin male on the left, Variegated Standard male middle, and Berkshire Standard female right. Again, you can see how much darker/deeper in color the Satin is compared to his Standard siblings. The Berkshire has the head spot required of Berkshires. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

21-day-old Black heavily-marked Variegated Standard (left) and her Black Variegated Satin sister (right). At this age the Satin coat is longer and finer than the Standards. Also, the markings will be more streaked/uneven on the edges like you can see on the hood edge here on the Satin compared to the Standard. Ideally, the Variegated should be broken up more and more down the sides. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

...and the rest of the 21-day-old litter. Here a Black Hooded Satin male left (adult photo below), a Black Variegated Satin female right, and a Black Berkshire Satin female (front). They are showing the longer, shinier coats of Satins. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

4-weed-old Russian Blues—Satin left and her Standard brother. The Satin is showing a darker color, and shinier/finer coat on the belly compared to the Standard. The Standard looks dull in coat and lighter in color compared to the Satin. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

...and the back side. The Satin is darker in color and you can see her curled whiskers. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

A 7-week-old Black Satin female (left) vs. an almost-6-week-old Black Standard female (right). The Satin has a finer/thinner coat compared to the Standard and even though is older, is narrower in body and not any bigger. They both have very square butts. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

...and the back side. The Standard (left) is showing a lighter color and duller coat compared to the Satin. You can see how the tails look like they were “stuck” onto the body rather than the body blending smoothly into the tail. For more on the topic, see Type Question: Square Butts on Rats. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

An almost-8-week-old Russian Blue Hooded Standard. She is showing the lighter color, duller coat, and straight whiskers compared to her Satin sister in the next photo. She has a nice tail-set (smooth blending from hips into tail. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

...and the Russian Blue Hooded Satin sister. She is showing the darker Russian Blue color, “yellower” white color, shinier coat, and curled whiskers compared to her Standard sister. She also has a narrower body. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

This Seal Point Siamese Satin male won Best Kitten at one of the Annual Shows. The lighter colors, especially Siamese, are very yellow compared to non-Satin rats of the same color. Rat owned and bred by Nichole Royer.

This Seal Point Siamese female kitten won Best Kitten at a different Annual show. This one still has baby coat on the top of the head and is showing the yellow color typical of Seal Point Siamese Satins. Rat owned and bred by Cindy Stratton.

A 7-week-old Black Satin brother to the Black Satin female above. Here you can see how shiny and sparkly he looks in color. He also has a nice thick tail for his age. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

A young Burmese Satin male showing the darker color due to the satinization to where he looks more like a Sable Burmese. Rat owned and bred by Rachel Miller.

A 3½-month-old Black Satin female showing the “sparkly” coat and darker black. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

An almost-8-month-old Black Satin male. He has nice type, a thick tail, but long head. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

An almost-9-month-old Blue Satin male showing the shiny Satin coat. You can also see the lighter undercolor typical to most Blues showing through in spots along with some brown moult patches. He has a very nice, thick tail. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

A 9-month-old Seal Point Siamese Satin male showing the very yellow color typcial of Siamese Satins. He has a long head with a narrow muzzle. Rat owned by Cindy Stratton, bred by Karen Robbins.

The Black Hooded Satin from the 21-day-old litter at 11 months old showing nice type but could use a bit shorter head. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

An almost-16-month-old Russian Blue Self Satin male showing the darker color from the satinization. He is squinting his eyes. Rat owned and bred by Karen Robbins.

A comparison of Satin vs. Standard coats in these 18-day-old Black Variegated baby rats. You can see how the whiskers are more back against the head and waved/curved on the 2 Satins compared to the Standard in the middle. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins, Karen’s Kritters.

18-day-old Black Variegated Satin vs. Standard baby rats. In this photo you can see how the coats on the Satins are more separated/uneven looking and the whiskers are waved/curved compared to the Standard in the middle. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins, Karen’s Kritters.

18-day-old Black Variegated Satin vs. Standard baby rats. This photo shows the difference in coat/color of the Standard in the middle compared to his Satin siblings—the Satins have a deeper/darker Black, more shine, and the coat isn't as fluffy. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins, Karen’s Kritters.

18-day-old Black Variegated Satin vs. Standard baby rats. A comparison of the Satin male (L) to the Standard male (R) showing the more yellowed white on the Satin as well as a more separated-looking coat and whiskers that go back against his head and have some curve to them. The Satin male needs a lot more variegation on his back/sides where the Standard male needs the variegation broken up more as well as needing it on the sides. Rats owned and bred by Karen Robbins, Karen’s Kritters.