If you love rabbits, surely you have already heard of the angora rabbit, also known as the Angora rabbit, a breed of origin Turkish that has become popular mainly thanks to its bulky white fur But did you know that there are up to four varieties of Angora rabbits and that each of them has its own features?
In this tab on our site, you will be able to discover much more about the origin, behavior and he alth of the Angora rabbit. And if you are evaluating the possibility of adopting a rabbit of this breed, we will also tell you about the main care and feeding that it requires to lead a he althy and happy life. Do not miss it!
Origin of the angora rabbit
The angora rabbit is a breed of rabbit originally from Turkey, more specifically from the Ankara region, where the cat also comes from from Angora. Originally, these lagomorphs were developed primarily for the exploitation of their mantle, which was used to make the valuable fiber known as Angora wool
Years later, in the middle of the 18th century, Angora rabbits began to become popular as pets after being adopted as pets by French roy alty. Before the end of the same century, they had already spread throughout the European continent, thanks to their charming appearance and calm and friendly character. During the 20th century, they began to be "exported" to the United States, where they also gained rapid popularity.
When introduced into different countries, the "original" Angora rabbits begin to selectively interbreed with other rabbits typical of each country or region. And it is in this way that the four varieties of angora rabbit currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeding Association (ARBA) have emerged. They are as follows:
- English Angora Rabbit
- French Angora Rabbit
- Giant Angora Rabbit
- Satin Angora Rabbit
Physical characteristics of the Angora rabbit
The morphological characteristics of the angora rabbit may vary slightly depending on the variety to which each individual belongs. Logically, the most characteristic feature of this breed is its bulky and abundant coat, which to this day has a very high market value for the quality of its wool that provides to make coats.
The coat color that most identifies the Angora rabbit is white, but it is possible to find individuals with different shades, such as gray, tan, cream, or brown The only exception is the giant variety, whose coat must be completely white. Next, we will review the most outstanding physical features of each variety of Angora rabbit:
- English Angora Rabbit: This is the smallest variety, usually weighing between 2.5 kg and 4 kg in adulthood, so what is considered to be a type of dwarf rabbit. Its body is compact and robust, with abundant silky-textured hairs all over its body, including its legs, ears and head.
- French Angora Rabbit: This variety is medium in size, weighing between 4 and 5 kg when fully grown. Its body is oval in shape and stands out for having the face and ears surrounded by tufts of straight hair.
- Giant Angora Rabbit: As the name suggests, it is the largest variety of Angora rabbit, weighing no less than 4.5 kg and eventually reaching 6 kg. Their fur is completely white and these rabbits do not shed like other varieties.
- Satin angora rabbit: this variety stands out for the shine of its coat, which has a satin effect. Their hairs are short and soft to the touch, but these lagomorphs do not have as abundant fur as the other varieties. Its size is medium, weighing about 4 kg in adulthood.
Angora rabbit character
As recognized as the beauty of their coat is the docile and balanced character that characterize Angora rabbits. These lagomorphs are usually very peaceful in their daily lives, behaving patiently and affectionately with their owners. Generally, they are easy to socialize, since they usually enjoy the company of their relatives and can adapt very well with other animals. For all these reasons, they can become an excellent pet for children, as long as they receive an adequate education and have a positive environment in which they can feel safe. They also need to have their quiet moments respected, especially when resting and eating.
In addition, Angora rabbits are very intelligent animals and predisposed to learning. Therefore, when adopting a rabbit, it is important to commit to its education and mental stimulation, presenting it with different orders of obedience, tricks, tasks and varied activities.
Angora rabbit care
One of the main cares for the Angora rabbit is the regular maintenance that its beautiful coat requires. The ideal is to brush it two or three times a week, always using an appropriate brush that does not break the fiber of its delicate hair. When brushing your rabbit's fur remember to act calm and reassure him before you start combing him. As they are very sensitive and attentive, rabbits can be easily frightened, so you should always make the grooming session a time of relaxation, cuddles and mutual trust.
As we have already mentioned in the previous section, it will be very important to stimulate the mind of your Angora rabbit. To educate him and teach him different tricks and tasks, you can use the clicker, the same device that we usually use to facilitate the training of dogs and cats. To reward him and stimulate him to continue to persist in his learning, you can lean towards he althy snacks, such as small pieces of fruits and vegetables that are good for rabbits.
In addition to working on their cognitive abilities, Angora rabbits also need and enjoy physical activityIdeally, they should be able to get out of their cage daily and have a safe, open space where they can run, jump, and explore their environment. Physical exercises will be essential for the management of a he althy weight and balanced behavior, preventing obesity and behavior problems in your rabbit.
A Good hygiene will also be a key care for the angora rabbit, preventing it from coming into contact with possibly pathogenic microorganisms. Ideally, droppings and feed debris, such as wet hay or bits of food, should be cleaned daily to prevent buildup. Drinkers and feeders should be washed at least three times a week, and it will be necessary to clean the entire cage of your lagomorph at least once a week.
Angora rabbit feeding
Like all animals, Angora rabbits need to receive complete and balanced nutrition to fully develop physically, emotionally and cognitive. The rabbit's diet must fully meet the specific nutritional needs of each stage of its life. Hay will be the most important element in the diet of adult rabbits, thanks to its high fiber content that stimulates intestinal transit and facilitates digestion, preventing gastrointestinal problems.
Your rabbit will need fresh, good-quality hay in its cage, but you should check and change it regularly to prevent it from getting wet or comes into contact with urine or feces. Humidity favors the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and other pathogens that can make your partner sick. In addition, you can offer vegetables, fruits and vegetables, always in amounts appropriate to their size, weight, age and lifestyle. It will also be essential to provide optimal hydration to your rabbit, always leaving fresh, clean water in its cage.
Last but not least, remember that rabbits need to wear down their teeth, which never stop growing. In specialized stores you can find organic wood and fruit bouquets that are appropriate to offer to your rabbit. But make sure they are from sustainable sources, to prevent them from containing chemicals that could harm the he alth of your fellow lagomorph.
Angora rabbit he alth
Angora rabbits tend to adapt better to temperate climates and can suffer quite a bit in the heat Therefore, we must pay special attention to their environment during the hottest days to avoid high temperatures and you could be victims of heat stroke. In addition to always leaving fresh, clean water available for your rabbit, make sure it has at least one cool, well-ventilated room.
On the other hand, the cold, adverse weather conditions and sudden changes in temperature can also harm the he alth of your lagomorph. Although it has a thick coat that helps keep it warm, the Angora rabbit is also sensitive to cold and must suffer from burns, colds and even hypothermia when exposed to low temperatures. Therefore, remember to provide a properly conditioned shelter for your rabbit during the winter.
In addition, the angora rabbit can develop some common diseases in lagomorphs, such as rabies, turalemia, viral, bacterial or fungal infections, skin problems such as mange, among others. others. Your rabbit will also need proper preventive medicine to maintain optimal he alth and prevent it from developing these conditions. For this reason, remember to take him every 6 months to the specialized veterinarian to carry out a preventive consultation and keep his vaccinations up to date.
