About Rabbit Fur

Rabbits are becoming a popular domestic pet.

The first known rabbits originated in Spain, a country the Phoenicians called "land of the rabbit," but it was not long before they spread to the rest of Europe, then throughout the world. Today, breeders raise rabbits both as pets and for meat and fur. Soft, warm and partly waterproof, rabbit fur has been used to make clothing since at least the time of the Romans.

Fur Colors

Almost every wild rabbit's fur is soft brown, providing protection against predators by helping it blend into its outdoor surrounding. You can buy pet rabbits with a much larger range of fur color, including white, black, gray-blue and even lilac. This is the result of selective breeding.

Fur Basics

Albino rabbits have white fur and pink eyes.

Rabbit fur is generally in two layers--an undercoat that is short and soft with a top layer of longer guard hairs. Almost every part of the bunny is covered by fur except the tip of the nose and the male scrotum. Even the bottoms of rabbits' feet are furry, and they do not have footpads.

Fur Development

Newborn rabbits are called kits, and they are born hairless. The first fur they develop is the protective guard hair, followed by the soft undercoat. In a week, the kit's fur is well developed. The baby fur lasts for five or six weeks, when a pre-adult coat replaces it. The adult coat grows in by the time the rabbit is eight months old.

Molting

Once a rabbit has its adult coat, it loses its fur twice a year in molting. Although the exact schedule depends on climate, most rabbits molt in spring and fall. Molting begins at the head and proceeds back. When a rabbit is pregnant, the fur on her belly, thighs and chest loosen, so that they can be easily removed to fill out the nest.

Commercial Use of Fur

Angora rabbits can have fur that is five inches long.

While most rabbits raised for their fur are killed as a result, the angora rabbit is the exception. The angora was bred for its long, soft fur, which is harvested every few months and made into yarn. The American Rabbit Breeders' Association recognizes four types of angoras--French, English, Giant and Satin.

References

• Omlet: About Rabbits
• Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association
• Royal School of Veterinary Studies: The Rabbit