|
|
| Other Names |
 |
|
| Lifespan |
|
On average the Angora rabbit can live to 5 years or more. |
| Breeding |
|
The ideal age for the female Angora rabbit to start breeding is between 5 and 6 months of age. The first litter must be born before the female is one year old. The reason for this is that after this age the pelvic bones fuse and she would not be able to give birth naturally. They should have no more litters after the age of three years. |
| Average Litter Size |
|
The Angora rabbit can produce, on average, 3-5 young. Litters of up to 6 or more have been recorded. |
| Gestation Period |
|
The gestation period is between 28-31 days. On average they give birth at 30-32 days. |
| General Physical Description |
|
The Angora rabbit is a fairly small rabbit. They appear round, like a ball. They are covered all over with long hair; the English Angora has tufts of hair on the tips of their ears and feet. The powerful back legs are longer than the front legs. |
| Size |
|
On average the Angora rabbit weighs 3kgs. |
| Feeding |
|
The mainstay of a rabbit’s diet should be large unlimited amounts of fresh hay, fresh fruit and vegetables, a well-balanced dry rabbit mix and plenty of clean water. Rabbits have quite delicate stomachs so when feeding fresh fruits and vegetables make sure they are added to the diet one vegetable at a time and eliminate specific varieties if they cause diarrhoea. An earthenware bowl is the best type of feeding dish to use, as they are harder to knock over than the plastic ones, also they not chewable. A water bottle fixed to the outside of the cage, with the water tube going into the cage, ensures a fresh water supply is available. |
| Cage & Bedding |
|
For the Angora rabbit the floor of the hutch or cage must be wire. The cage would have a wire base with a wire lid fixed to the base. There should be a tray under the wire floor to catch the urine and droppings. The reason for this is that the Angora rabbit can become very dirty and the fur will become matted if it is kept in an ordinary hutch. As their feet have excess hair on them they do not feel the wire floor. All rabbits must have an adequate exercise area, whether it is an outside run or an enclosed area in the house. An earthenware food bowl and a drinking bottle will also be required to feed and water the rabbit. |
|
|
| Suitability For Children |
|
This rabbit is only really suitable for someone who is prepared for all the grooming work that is necessary to keep it in its rightful condition. |
| Character & Temperament |
|
The Angora rabbit is quite a sociable individual by nature. |
| Sleeping Habits |
|
Rabbits are most active in the morning and at night; they generally sleep during the day. |
| Toys & Exercise |
|
Rabbits need things to climb on, crawl through, dig and chew. It is possible to provide plenty to entertain this rabbit with using household items, such as toilet roll tubes and boxes. Several boxes can be put together with holes in them so the rabbit can go from box to box, just like being in a warren. Ramps can also be put against the boxes so the rabbit can climb up; they like to have a lookout post. |
|
|
| Types of Coat |
|
The Angora rabbit is a longhaired rabbit, the hair can grow as long as 15cms or more. |
| Colour |
|
They can be white, golden, fawn, smoke, blue, black and chinchilla. |
|
|
| Intelligence |
|
Rabbits can become trained to learn their name. They are more intelligent than guinea pigs and hamsters. They can even be trained to go to the toilet in one specific area, which makes cleaning up after them much easier. |
| Show Characteristics |
|
There are 4 recognised breeds of Angoras' that are shown - English, French, Satin and Giant. The differences in them are their coats. The English have tufts of hair growing from their ear tips and feet, their coats are silky and fine, making the wool very soft. The Frenchhave no tufts, in fact they have short hair in their head, face, ears and feet; their coats are made of slightly coarse wool which is easy to spin. They are also the easiest of the four varieties to look after in terms of their coat care. Satin Angoras' also have short hair on the head, face, ears and feet, their wool is finer than the other breeds. Giant Angoras', which weigh over 4kgs, must be white for showing. They have dense wool with a double undercoat |
| Country of Origin |
|
Turkey |
|
