Whats the difference between feeder rats and fancy rats

My feeder rat just had babies. I want my rat to be uber-socialized so I thought it would be good to start young. I actually am breeding them to feed to my snake. But I thought one would do for a pet. What gender should I try and pick out . And any advice that you could give. Is there much difference between fancy and feeder? When should I start handling them.

Absolutely nothing except for the lable and the price that the pet store slaps on them.

Rats have gained several different names since their domestication over 100 years ago. Pet rats, feeder rats, breeder rats, Fancy Rats..but they are still the same animal, Rattus norvegicus, derived from the wild Norway Rat by the same scientific name.

I call my rats, fancy rats, to let people know that my rats are pets and I'm not keeping wild rats as pets.

Feeder rat breeding can be akin to puppy mills. Individuals who mass-breed rats specifically to be fed to reptiles. Normally these rats are not meant to live long lives and are bred without due care to their health. On a smaller scale, like what you are doing, you are probably making sure that the rats are healthy because no respectable herper wants to feed their snakes sick rats.

I even know of pet stores that get their stock shipped in from large-scale breeders and then upon arrival the rats are separated into feeder and fancy. The "boring" colors like PEW, beige, and black go as feeders, while the more interesting colors and markings go as fancies for a higher price. Same beastie, different label, different fate. I've bought "feeders" and they have made awesome pets.