English Lop facts for kids
The English Lop is a special type of domestic rabbit that was first developed in England during the 1800s. People created this breed through a process called selective breeding, which means they carefully chose rabbits with certain traits to have babies.
Many believe the English Lop was the very first rabbit breed with long, floppy ears. It might even be one of the oldest pet rabbit breeds around! These rabbits are quite large, usually weighing about 11 pounds (5.5 kg). They are easy to spot because of their super long, floppy ears, big head, and large body.
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History of the English Lop Rabbit
The English Lop was the first rabbit breed known for its long, floppy ears. It was created in England in the 1800s. People developed it as an early "fancy" breed, meaning it was bred for its looks and unique features, not just for food or fur. This happened because more and more people at the time enjoyed showing and breeding animals for fun.
During the Victorian era (a time when Queen Victoria ruled England), the English Lop became a popular pet. This was a big change! Before, most pet rabbits were kept for their meat, fur, or wool. But the English Lop helped start the idea of rabbits as beloved household companions.
Later, English Lops were bred with other rabbit types from different countries. This led to new lop-eared breeds. For example, the French Lop came from mixing English Lops with Flemish Giant rabbits. And the Holland Lop was created by breeding French Lops with Netherland Dwarf rabbits.
Appearance of English Lops
English Lops have the longest ears of any rabbit breed! Their ears can measure up to 32 inches (81 cm) from tip to tip. Even though their bodies are longer and thinner than other lop breeds, their ears are truly amazing.
An English Lop's ears finish growing when the rabbit is about 5 months old. However, male rabbits' ears might grow a tiny bit more, maybe an inch, as their heads fully develop.
English Lops come in many colors. They can be solid colors or "brokens," which means their color is mixed with white patches. Some common colors include black, orange/fawn, blue, and chinchilla. They can also be Red Eyed White, blue torts, and black torts.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) allows all recognized lop colors to be shown. Their fur is short and smooth. It feels silky, especially on their ears. English Lops should have a wide nose and a broad head. Their bodies should look like a mandolin cut in half, with strong shoulders and a deep, round shape over their hips. Female English Lops can weigh 10–15 pounds, while males usually weigh 9–12 pounds.
Caring for Your English Lop
English Lops need a big home because of their long ears. A large hutch or a converted shed or aviary works well. This gives them enough space to move around without stepping on their ears.
If your rabbit lives outdoors, its hutch should be made of strong wood. It needs a waterproof roof and should be raised off the ground. For indoor rabbits, a wooden hutch or cage is suitable. The bottom of the cage should be solid plastic, not wire, to protect their feet.
All rabbits need a place to exercise. This can be an outdoor run or a safe, enclosed area inside your house. The floor of their home should be covered with soft material. Hay or blankets are good choices. Avoid wood shavings, as they can cause breathing problems.
In cold or wet weather, outdoor rabbits need extra bedding like straw to stay warm. It's important to clean your rabbit's hutch or cage every week. Remove old food and bedding every three days. Use special hutch disinfectants to stop bacteria from spreading.
You will also need an earthenware food bowl and a water bottle. Water bowls are not recommended because English Lops can get their long ears wet in them. English Lops have short fur, so they don't need much grooming.
These rabbits can handle warm weather if they have shade and fresh water. But in the cold, their ears are at risk of frostbite. So, they must be kept in a warm, dry place away from cold drafts.
English Lop Behavior
Adult English Lops are often called the "dogs of the rabbit world." This is because they are usually very calm and friendly. They are known for being outgoing, curious, and gentle.
They can make wonderful pets for children. However, since they are a large breed, an adult should always supervise when children play with them.
Feeding Your English Lop
English Lops are generally calm and not very active. Like most rabbits, they need a healthy diet.
It's best to give English Lops about 2 cups of good quality rabbit pellets each day. These pellets should have 16–18% plant protein. They also need unlimited amounts of grass hay. Always make sure they have constant access to fresh, clean water.
Some owners like to give their rabbits treats, but only in very small amounts. A small slice of strawberry or other healthy fruits can be a nice treat. You can find commercial treats in pet stores, but use these even more sparingly. They often have more sugar and starch.
Many vegetables are good for rabbits. Some favorites include escarole, turnips, collards, kale, parsley, thyme, cilantro, dandelion, and basil. The green, leafy tops of radish and carrots are also very nutritious.
When you introduce new vegetables, do it slowly. Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. Avoid cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, as they can cause gas. Too much gas can lead to serious health problems. Also, do not give them potatoes or corn because these are high in starch.
English Lops need unlimited fresh water. This is usually given in a hanging water bottle or a heavy, tip-proof ceramic dish.
Health of English Lops
Because of their very large ears, English Lops can sometimes have more health problems related to their ears. Ear infections are a common concern. You should check their ears regularly, especially for too much wax in their deep ear canals. Clean them gently when needed.
Keeping their toenails clipped can help prevent ear injuries. Rabbits can accidentally scratch their own ears if their nails are too long.
The large size of their ears and body, along with their thin fur, means they can lose heat easily. This can be a problem for outdoor rabbits in cold weather. If it's cold, you need to add extra bedding and hay to their hutch. Also, block any cold drafts. In freezing conditions, never give an English Lop a water dish. Their wet ears could freeze.
On the other hand, English Lops often do better in heat than many other rabbit breeds. Their large ears help them cool down. However, temperatures over 85°F (29°C) are still too hot. Make sure your rabbit has plenty of shade, fresh water, or a cool surface to lie on.
English Lops can live in hutches or cages with a solid bottom and bedding. If they are in a wire-bottom cage, they must have a thick resting board or pad. This prevents injuries to their hocks (the joint in their back leg).
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The best age for a female English Lop rabbit to start breeding is 10 months old. Female English Lops are known for being good mothers and having lots of babies. They produce rich milk for their young.
They can have large litters of 5 to 12 kits (baby rabbits). Pregnancy usually lasts between 28 and 35 days, with most births happening around 30–32 days.
The first 16 weeks of an English Lop's life are when its ears grow the fastest. During this time, their ears need special care. Baby English Lops are born with normal-sized ears. But for about a month, their ears will double in size each week!
By about four weeks old, their ears will be longer than their bodies. At this stage, the young rabbits might trip over their ears or accidentally scratch them often. So, they need extra care and attention during this rapid growth period.
World Record Ears
On November 1, 2003, an English Lop named Nipper's Geronimo set a world record! His ears were measured at 79 cm (31.125 inches) from tip to tip. This happened at the American Rabbit Breeders Association National Convention in Wichita, Kansas, USA. This is recorded as the largest ear-span ever measured for a rabbit in the Guinness World Records.
