New Zealand rabbit facts for kids
The New Zealand rabbit is a popular rabbit breed that actually comes from the United States, not New Zealand! These rabbits were first developed in California. They might have come from rabbits brought over from New Zealand, or they could be a mix of other breeds.
New Zealand rabbits come in five main colors that are officially recognized: white, red, black, blue, and broken (which means they have patches of color). They usually weigh about 4.5 to 5.5 kilograms (10 to 12 pounds). Female rabbits are often a little bigger than males. These rabbits are raised for many reasons, like for their meat, their soft fur, for showing in competitions, and for scientific research. They are also kept as pets.
Contents
About New Zealand Rabbits
New Zealand rabbits have a strong, muscular body that is medium in length. Their back legs are well-rounded. Their ears stand straight up, unlike some rabbits whose ears flop down. Their fur is a normal length and is called "flyback." This means if you brush their fur the wrong way, it quickly springs back into place.
Male New Zealand rabbits, called bucks, usually weigh between 4 to 5 kilograms (9 to 11 pounds). Female rabbits, called does, are a bit heavier, weighing about 4.5 to 5.5 kilograms (10 to 12 pounds). Female rabbits sometimes have a small flap of skin and fur under their chin called a dewlap. They use this fur to line their nests when they have babies. It's better if the dewlap is small, and male rabbits should not have one at all.
White New Zealand Rabbits
White New Zealand rabbits have a special genetic trait called albinism. This means their bodies don't produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. Because of this, their fur is snowy white. The most interesting thing about white New Zealand rabbits is their bright, ruby-pink eyes. This eye color is why they are often called REW, which stands for "ruby-eyed white."
Showing Rabbits
Rabbit clubs in different countries have slightly different rules for showing New Zealand rabbits. For example, the British Rabbit Club (BRC) has a separate standard for red New Zealand rabbits. The blue New Zealand rabbit color was recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 2016. When these rabbits are shown in competitions, judges mostly look at their body shape.
Where They Came From
New Zealand rabbits were likely developed in California. They probably came from a mix of different rabbit breeds, possibly including Belgian Hares and Flemish Giants. These rabbits were bred to grow quickly and produce good meat. They were officially added to the US rabbit standards in 1916.
At first, New Zealand rabbits only came in red. Then, in 1917, a breeder named William S. Preshaw found some white New Zealand rabbits born in a litter of reds. While red rabbits were popular for meat for a while, the white ones quickly became very popular. This was because their white fur could be easily dyed any color, making it more valuable in the fur market.
Commercial Uses
New Zealand rabbits were originally bred for their fur and meat, not as pets. Young rabbits, called "fryers," are usually ready for market at 8 to 12 weeks old. Older rabbits are sold as "roasters." White rabbits are preferred for their fur because it's easier to dye. High-quality fur is used for things like fur coats, while lower-quality fur might be used for felt hats or glove linings.
New Zealand rabbits are very good for meat production. They are efficient at turning their food into meat, and they have fine bones. This makes them one of the best breeds for producing meat. Rabbits raised for production are often given food with more protein.
Used in Laboratories
New Zealand rabbits are often chosen for scientific research in laboratories. This is because they are calm and generally healthy. Also, rabbits react to many diseases and medicines in ways that are similar to humans. This makes them very useful for testing new drugs and treatments.
These rabbits have been used in many important places, like drug companies, public health buildings, cancer research centers, and university hospitals. They have helped scientists develop tests and medicines for serious conditions such as diabetes, tuberculosis, cancer, and heart disease. Scientists have also used New Zealand rabbits to test the effects of skin creams, cosmetics, special diets, and food additives.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
A female rabbit, or doe, can start having babies when she is between 8 and 12 weeks old. However, it's safer for her to be bred when she is 5 to 8 months old. Breeding her too early can be harmful to both the mother and her babies, called kits. Does can get pregnant all year round, though the length of the day can affect this a little.
The time a doe is pregnant, called the gestation period, is usually about 28 to 35 days. Most does give birth, or "kindle," around 31 to 32 days. A few days before the babies are expected, a special nest box should be given to the mother. The doe will pull fur from her belly and dewlap to make a soft nest, along with any hay or other materials provided.
Newborn kits are born without fur, and they cannot hear or see. Their fur starts to grow in by 3 to 5 days old. After 7 to 10 days, their eyes will open. By the time they are 2 weeks old, they might start exploring outside the nest and trying solid food. When they are about three to four weeks old, their mother will begin to stop feeding them milk. At this point, the kits will start eating hay and pellets.
An average litter has about seven bunnies, but a doe can have anywhere from one to fourteen babies. Rabbits are "induced ovulators," which means a doe can become pregnant just by mating if the conditions are right. A doe can even get pregnant again within 24 hours after giving birth!
It's very rare for a mother rabbit to eat her babies. In the wild, this can be a way to remove dead babies or blood from the nest to keep predators from finding it. If babies are stillborn or die soon after birth, the mother might eat them. This can also happen if the mother doesn't have enough water or food. Male rabbits, or bucks, usually don't help raise the young. However, in group settings, they might sometimes act as babysitters or a source of warmth for the young kits. Bucks do not normally kill and eat kits.
