On our site you will find countless articles that will help you discover new species and breeds of animals. On this occasion, we will talk about a very special bunny, the harlequin rabbit. This rabbit owes its name to a very particular characteristic, do you know which one?
That and much more we want to tell you about the harlequin, a breed of rabbit with a long history, which has become wildly popular since its appearance. And they have earned this popularity by hand. Did you know that the harlequin is considered one of the most affable and affectionate domestic rabbits?
Origin of the harlequin rabbit
The origin of the harlequin rabbit is located in France and, although the exact year of its appearance is not known, it is suspected that it was during the 1880s. This breed of rabbit came about as a result of crossbreeding between wild rabbits and semi-wild Dutch rabbits. Already in 1887 the first official exhibition of the breed was held in France, specifically in Paris, becoming popular until it reached England and, in 1920, the United States.
As a curious fact regarding the history of the harlequin rabbit, we can say that before the First World War it was called the Japanese rabbit, but its name changed to the harlequin rabbit after the Second World War.
Characteristics of the harlequin rabbit
Harlequin rabbits usually weigh between 2.7 and 3.6 kg once they reach adulthood. It should be noted that males are usually smaller than females.
The body of these rabbits is compact and rather elongated, with medium-sized legs, which have developed muscles, which gives them great physical power. The head is proportionally larger than the body, with ears that stand up and end in rounded tips.
The harlequin rabbit has a short coat, very shiny and silky. This hair is straight and covers the entire body evenly. The most characteristic of this breed of rabbit is the color pattern, or rather the color patterns and markings on this coat, which we will talk about in more detail below.
Harlequin Rabbit Colors
Despite the great variety that can exist in the patterns, two types of fur are distinguished in the harlequin rabbit:
- Urraca: white base mixed with blue, black, chocolate or lilac. These spots are in the form of bands, bars or a mixture of them.
- Japanese: with an orange base and combinations of chocolate, lilac, blue or black.
Harlequin Rabbit Character
If harlequin rabbits became popular for anything, apart from their peculiar appearance, it is because of their benevolent and collaborative character. They are very nice bunnies that exude affection and pacifism. They are extremely sensitive, so caution is recommended in the event of their possible coexistence with other animals such as cats or dogs, because they get stressed easily
In general, its kindness stands out and it is easy to tame it and live at home. It is recommended to keep them at home and ensure that they are accompanied most of the time, since they do not usually tolerate loneliness very wellThey don't get along well with other animals, but they do need the love and attention of their human family.
Now, although these rabbits stand out for having a kind character and, in general, affectionate, this does not mean that they are not territorial. Rabbits are generally very territorial animals that tend to mark their territory and express attitudes and reactions related to heat at an early age. In this sense, harlequins are not exempt, so within the character of the harlequin rabbit we also find these characteristics. Therefore, its sterilization is recommended following the advice of the veterinarian.
To know how to train a rabbit, don't miss this other article: "How to train a rabbit".
Harlequin rabbit care
Harlequin rabbit care does not differ from the general care that any domestic rabbit should receive. For example, it is recommended to regularly brush their fur to remove dust and dirt, while bathing them, which is very common in these animals, is not recommended.
In the case of food, we highlight that, like any rabbit, the harlequin rabbit has an exclusively herbivorous diet, consuming only food of plant originSpecifically, their diet should be based on the consumption of hay, vegetables and fresh fruit. In addition, you must always have water at your disposal to stay properly hydrated.
On the other hand, the harlequin rabbit must have an appropriate habitat. If we opt for a cage, it must be wide, allowing the mobility of the animal. This cage must have a soft bed, have access to the drinker and feeder inside and have objects or toys to gnaw The latter is very important, since the teeth Most rabbits never stop growing, and if they are not worn properly they will suffer from various oral disorders, which cause a lot of pain.
Within the care of the harlequin rabbit is also the fact of being able to enjoy freedom of movement Therefore, a cage Big is not enough, the animal needs to get out of it to exercise, play, run and jump. Therefore, whenever possible and safe, it is advisable to allow the rabbit to move freely around the home. Likewise, setting up a room just for him is more than recommended.
For more information, see this article: "How to take care of a rabbit".
Harlequin Rabbit He alth
The harlequin rabbit, like any other domestic rabbit, can suffer from a number of diseases that cause discomfort and/or pain. One of them is the aforementioned alterations due to the continuous growth of his teeth To avoid this, you have to provide him with objects, such as cardboard, toys…, that allow him to gnaw and thus wear down your teeth. If we observe that our rabbit stops eating and is withdrawn, it may be due to a dental abscess or a malocclusion, in both cases requiring specialized veterinary care.
In addition to his teeth, we must keep his eyes, nails and ears in good condition and under supervision. We will have to regularly clean his ears, trim his nails and make sure his eyes are not red, swollen or watery.
If the harlequin rabbit receives all the care it needs, its life expectancy ranges between 6 and 8 years.
Harlequin rabbit for adoption
The harlequin rabbit is a relatively common rabbit, so we can manage to adopt one of them quite easily. As always, on our site we recommend a responsible adoption, taking into account the needs of these animals and being very aware of what adopting them implies. We must be sure that we can take charge of your care and that we can provide you with all the attention that is necessary.
Once the decision is made, how to adopt a harlequin rabbit? In this case, without a doubt, the most advisable thing is to go to the nearest shelters and protectors Unfortunately, there are more and more exotic animals in them, among the numerous types of rabbits are found. Who knows, maybe one of these little ones is there waiting for his family.
