Around the world, there are over 100 different rabbit
breeds, with over half of the global population residing in North America
alone. Rabbits are also native to parts of South America, Africa, Southeast
Asia and Southwest Europe, as well as certain Japanese islands. Most breeds are
known for certain shared characteristics, such as large ears, soft coats, and
spring-like running movements which serve as their primary defense versus
predators.
However, rabbits are also a very diverse species, with each
breed separated by notable differences in size, color, and other aspects of
appearance. Here are some interesting facts about the many rabbits of the
world.
The Long and Short
While most rabbits are short-haired animals, some feature
longer, luxurious coats similar to certain dog breeds. The Harlequin rabbit of
France is one example, as is the Giant Angora breed from the U.S., which
features long hair that can look almost wooly in appearance.
Big and Small
The Netherland Dwarf rabbit ranks as one of the very
smallest, with an expected maximum weight of three to four pounds. Conversely,
Europe’s Continental Giant breed can grow to be in excess of 16 pounds—that’s
more than four Netherland Dwarf rabbits combined!
All Ears
Perhaps the most defining characteristic are rabbits’ ears,
which are generally long and pointed upward in order to hear predators
approaching. However, about a dozen different breeds known as Lops feature
large, floppy ears which hang naturally at the sides of the head. While not as
efficient for detecting danger, lops do make for very popular pets. If you’re interested
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