Content
- Origin of the Angora rabbit
- Physical characteristics of the Angora rabbit
- Angora Rabbit Personality
- Angora Rabbit Care
- Angora rabbit feeding
- Angora rabbit health
If you like rabbits, you've probably heard of the angora rabbit, also known as the Angora rabbit, a breed of Turkish origin that became popular mainly thanks to its bulky by white. But did you know that there are up to four varieties of Angora rabbits, and that each one of them has its own characteristics?
In this form of the Animal Expert, you can find out much more about the origin, behavior and health of the Angora rabbit. And if you are evaluating the possibility of adopting a rabbit of this breed, let's also talk about the main care and food necessary for it to lead a healthy and happy life. Don't miss it!
Source
- Asia
- Europe
- Turkey
Origin of the Angora rabbit
The Angora rabbit is a breed of rabbit. from Turkey, more specifically from the region of Ankara, where the Angora cat also comes from. Originally, these lagomorphs were developed primarily for the exploration of their coat, used to make the valuable fiber known as angora wool.
Years later, in the middle of the XVIII century, Angora rabbits began to become popular as companion animals, after being adopted as pets by French royalty. Before the end of the same century, they had already spread across the entire European continent, thanks to their charming appearance and their calm, friendly personality. During the 20th century, they began to be "exported" to the United States, where they also gained rapid popularity.
When they were introduced in different countries, the "original" Angora rabbits started to be selectively crossed with other typical rabbits of each country or region. And that's how the four varieties of Angora rabbit currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeding Association (ARBA), which are as follows:
- English Angora Rabbit
- French Angora Rabbit
- Giant Angora Rabbit
- Rabbit Angora Satin
Physical characteristics of the Angora rabbit
The morphological characteristics of the Angora rabbit can vary a little, depending on the variety to which each individual belongs. Naturally, the most characteristic feature of this breed is its voluminous and abundant fur, which even today has a very high market value for the quality of the wool it provides for making coats.
The most common fur color in Angora rabbits is the White, but it is possible to find individuals with different shades, such as gray, cinnamon, cream or brown. The only exception is the giant variety, whose coat must always be completely white. Next, we'll talk about the most outstanding physical characteristics of each Angora rabbit variety:
- English Angora Rabbit: is the smallest variety, usually weighing between 2.5 and 4 kg in adulthood, so it is considered a type of dwarf rabbit. Its body is compact and robust, with abundant silky-textured hairs all over the body, including on the legs, ears and head.
- French Angora Rabbit: This variety is medium in size, weighing between 4 and 5 kg in adulthood. Its body has an oval shape and stands out for having its face and ears surrounded by strands 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 reaching 6 kg. Their fur is completely white and these rabbits do not exchange fur like other varieties.
- Rabbit Angora Satin: this variety stands out for the shine of its coat, which has a satin effect. Their fur is short and soft to the touch, but these lagomorphs don't have as abundant a coat as other varieties. Its size is medium, weighing about 4 kg in adulthood.
Angora Rabbit Personality
As recognized as the beauty of its coat, is the docile and balanced personality that characterizes the Angora rabbits. These lagomorphs are usually very peaceful in their daily lives, behaving with patience and love with their owners. They are generally easy to socialize as they tend to enjoy the company of their family members and can adapt very well to other animals.For all these reasons, they can make excellent pets for children, as long as they receive a proper education and have a positive environment where they can feel secure. They also need to have their moments of silence respected, especially when they rest and eat.
Also, Angora rabbits are very smart animals and predisposed to learn. 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 different activities.
Angora Rabbit Care
One of the main cares of the Angora rabbit is the regular maintenance that its beautiful coat requires. The ideal is brush it two or three times a week, always using a proper brush so as not to break the fiber of your delicate hair. When brushing your rabbit's fur, remember to calm and reassure him before combing his hair. As they are very sensitive and attentive, rabbits can be easily startled; therefore, you should always make the cleansing session a time of relaxation, pampering and mutual trust.
As we mentioned in the previous section, it will be very important. 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 we usually use to facilitate the training of dogs and cats. To reward him and encourage him to persist in his learning, you can use snacks such as small pieces of fruit and vegetables that are good for rabbits.
In addition to working on their cognitive skills, Angora rabbits also need and enjoy physical activities. Ideally, they should be able to leave the cage on a daily basis and have a safe, open space where they can run, jump and explore their surroundings. Exercise is essential for healthy weight management and balanced behavior, preventing obesity and behavioral problems in your rabbit.
One good hygiene it will also be an important care for the Angora rabbit, preventing it from coming into contact with possibly pathogenic microorganisms. Ideally, droppings and food residues, such as damp hay or pieces of food, should be cleaned daily to prevent build-up. Drinking and feeding bowls must be washed at least three times a week, and it will be necessary sanitize the entire cage of the lagomorph at least once a week.
Angora rabbit feeding
Like all animals, Angora rabbits need to receive a complete and balanced nutrition to fully develop on a physical, emotional and cognitive level. 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 to have fresh, good quality hay in its cage, but you should check and change it regularly to prevent it from getting wet or coming into contact with urine or faeces. Humidity favors the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and other pathogens that can make your friend sick. In addition, you can offer vegetables, fruits and vegetables, always in adequate amounts for your size, weight, age and lifestyle. It will also be essential to provide a optimal hydration to your rabbit, always leaving fresh, clean water in the cage.
Last but not least, remember that rabbits need to wear down their teeth that never stop growing. At specialty stores, you can find suitable organic wood and fruit tree branches to give your rabbit. But make sure they are from sustainable sources, to avoid containing chemicals that could harm your lagomorph friend's health.
Angora rabbit health
Angora rabbits tend to adapt better to temperate climates and can suffer a lot from the heat. For this reason, you need to pay special attention to your environment during the hottest days, to avoid that in high temperatures you can be victims of a heat stroke. In addition to always keeping fresh, clean water available for your rabbit, make sure your rabbit has at least one well-ventilated, cool area.
On the other hand, cold, adverse weather conditions and sudden changes in temperature can also harm your lagomorph's health. Although the Angora rabbit has an abundant coat that helps keep it warm, it is also sensitive to cold and can suffer burns, colds and even hypothermia pictures when exposed to low temperatures. So remember to provide a properly conditioned shelter for your rabbit during the winter.
In addition, the Angora rabbit can develop some diseases common in lagomorphs, such as rabies, tularemia, viral, bacterial or fungal infections, skin problems such as scabies, among others. Your rabbit will also need one. preventive medicine adequate to maintain optimal health and prevent the development of these conditions. For this reason, remember to take him to the specialized veterinarian every 6 months for preventive appointments and keep his vaccinations up to date.