Cinnamon rabbit facts for kids

The Cinnamon rabbit is a special type of rabbit. It was created by accident in 1962. This rabbit is named for its beautiful fur color, which looks like ground cinnamon. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially recognizes the Cinnamon rabbit. However, the British Rabbit Council (BRC) does not recognize it yet.

How the Cinnamon Rabbit Was Created

The Cinnamon rabbit's story began by chance in 1962. It happened in Missoula, Montana. Two children, Belle and Fred Houseman, were involved. They had a Chinchilla mother rabbit and a New Zealand father rabbit.

Their father, Ellis Houseman, let them keep one bunny from this mix. The children joined a local 4-H group. They got a Checkered Giant mother rabbit and a mixed Californian mother rabbit.

The mixed bunny (the father) had babies with both new mother rabbits. The Californian mother had one reddish-brown bunny. The Checkered Giant mother later had two reddish-brown bunnies. One was a girl, and one was a boy.

Ellis Houseman usually only liked purebred rabbits. But he let his children keep the two reddish-brown bunnies. The children bred these two bunnies together. About 70% of their babies had this new reddish-brown fur. They started calling this color "Cinnamon."

Ellis saw this new color and its shiny fur. He showed the rabbits to J. Cyril Lowett. Mr. Lowett was an ARBA judge and board member. He thought the rabbits could become an official breed. There was no other rabbit like them in the United States.

Becoming an Official Breed

To become an official ARBA breed, rabbits need to pass three conventions. The Housemans took their Cinnamons to Calgary, Canada in 1969. The rabbits were approved right away.

In 1970, they sent the rabbits to Syracuse, New York. Sadly, the rabbits got sick during the trip. They did not pass that convention.

The family kept trying. In 1971, they took the rabbits to Albuquerque, New Mexico. They faced more problems. A storm made them leave their trailer. A dog also killed three of their best female rabbits. But the rabbits still passed the convention!

Finally, in 1972, their dream came true. The rabbits passed their third convention in Tacoma, Washington. The Cinnamon rabbit was officially recognized by the ARBA. It was added to their Book of Standards.

What Cinnamon Rabbits Look Like

Cinnamon rabbits are named for their special color. Their fur is ideally a rust or ground cinnamon shade. They have gray ticking (small flecks) across their back. Their sides are smoky gray. Their belly is dark, and the under-color is orange.

You might see rust-colored spots inside their back legs. Sometimes these spots are on their feet and face too. Their back legs, feet, and face are often darker. This creates a "butterfly effect" on their nose. They also have small circles around each eye.

Cinnamon rabbits usually weigh between 8.5 and 11 pounds (about 3.8 to 5 kg). They are medium-sized with a strong, commercial body shape. Their hips are wider and deeper than their shoulders. Their head fits their body well, and their ears stand up straight.

The ARBA judges rabbits based on points. For Cinnamon rabbits, 58 out of 100 points are for body type. They look for a good, medium-sized body. It should have smooth bones and well-filled muscles. The color and fur quality get 11 points. Another 11 points are for desired markings and color changes. This includes different shades of rust and brown, plus a lighter gray dusting on the back.

How Cinnamon Rabbits Behave

Cinnamon rabbits make great pets. They are large enough for older kids to handle. But they are not too giant to manage. They are a tough breed and usually live 5 to 8 years.

These rabbits are calm and friendly. They enjoy getting attention from people. Their fur is short and easy to care for. Brushing them once a week is usually enough. During shedding season, you might need to brush them twice a week.

Like all rabbits, Cinnamons need a good diet. They also need lots of space to exercise. Toys to chew on are important. And they love spending time with their owners.

Food and Home for Your Rabbit

Cinnamon rabbits need a healthy diet to stay well. Grass hay, cecotropes (special rabbit droppings they re-eat), and green foods are key. Grass hay can be timothy, meadow, oat, rye, barley, or Bermuda grass. If grass hay is not available, legume hay is okay. But legume hay is very rich, so use it only as a backup.

Small amounts of flowers, fruits, and vegetables are fine as treats. But they should not be a whole meal. Rabbits must always have fresh water available.

Rabbits should live indoors. They can even roam freely in a safe home. If you use a cage, it should be at least 3 feet by 4 feet (about 0.9 by 1.2 meters). This gives them enough space. You can even litter train a rabbit!

The cage needs to be tall enough for the rabbit to stand on its back legs. It should also be strong enough so the rabbit can't chew through it. The cage needs a resting area and a hiding spot. If your rabbit spends most of its time in a cage, let it out for a few hours daily. This helps them get exercise and stay healthy. Pelleted litter is a good choice for their bedding.

What Cinnamon Rabbits Are Used For

Rabbits are often bred for four main reasons: meat, fur, show, or as pets. The Cinnamon rabbit is called the "All-Purpose Rabbit." This is because it is good for all four of these uses.

Meat

Cinnamons were first bred to be meat rabbits. Three of their parent breeds (New Zealand, Checkered Giant, and Californian) are popular meat rabbits. This means Cinnamons also have good potential for meat.

Fur

Cinnamon rabbits have a very specific and appealing fur color. This makes them great for fur. However, they are a rare breed, so they are not used for fur very often.

Show

Cinnamons are also popular in rabbit shows. Some experienced breeders like the challenge of breeding them. This is because they are not very common. But Cinnamons are also good for new exhibitors. They are a well-built rabbit with good muscles and size.

Pets

Cinnamon rabbits make wonderful pets. They need a balanced diet, but not much grooming. They are large rabbits, so small children might find them hard to handle alone. This helps keep both the rabbit and child safe. Their size and sturdy build mean older children can handle them without fear of hurting them. Cinnamon rabbits are naturally calm. This makes them a great choice for families looking for a pet rabbit. They really enjoy human attention.