The lop rabbit, a rabbit with big ears and silky hair
Table of Contents
Who hasn't already cracked in front of a ram rabbit? This domestic
rabbit from the lagomorph family (mammals with 2 pairs of upper
incisors), is very cute with its large drooping ears and silky hair.
The ram rabbit is an ideal domestic animal: it is intelligent,
playful, very sociable and a great seeker of tenderness
Size:
depending on the
species of ram rabbit
Weight:
from 2 kg to 5 kg
Life expectancy: 8 years
Gestation period: 30 days
Life expectancy: 8 years
Gestation period: 30 days
Origin and characteristics of the lop rabbit
Originally from Europe and descended from the wild rabbit, the ram rabbit
has a massive body and looks like an adorable little ball of fur. His ears
are very characteristic of his species because drooping, which gives him a
little unhappy but also mischievous air. The ram rabbit is a very
intelligent and easy-to-train pet. He loves to play and run. There are
several species of lop rabbit:
- the English lop rabbit with very long ears
- the French lop rabbit, giant rabbit over 5 kg
- dwarf lop rabbit
- the little ram rabbit
How to take care of your ram rabbit?
Despite its massive appearance, the lop rabbit has a fragile frame that
must be carefully monitored. The ram rabbit does not like to be alone:
he appreciates of course the presence of his masters but also the
company of other rabbits, like other animals like a dog or a cat.
What habitat for his ram rabbit?
Although they can live outdoors, the best habitat for the lop rabbit in
the home is a cage. The latter must be quite spacious because the ram
rabbit is very active, in particular thanks to its very powerful hind
legs. Above all, his cage must be decorated with floors that the ram
rabbit loves to climb and descend and a space where he can hide. His cage
should be placed away from sources of noise and drafts. The ideal is a
room with a little passage, such as the kitchen, where the ram rabbit can
always have an eye on its masters and where it will not feel alone.
What to feed your ram rabbit?
The ram rabbit's digestive system is very sensitive. Fresh foods such as
pears, apples, carrots, or celery should not be given to the ram rabbit
before the age of 6 months. Hay, his staple food, must be of good quality.
Pellets are also very suitable for feeding lop rabbits. They bring him all
the vitamins and all the mineral elements he needs. The ram rabbit must
always have fresh water available to drink.
Lop rabbit health: what you need to know
The ram rabbit must be vaccinated from its 8 weeks to avoid fatal
diseases such as myxomatosis, a disease caused by a virus, transmitted by
insects such as fleas or mosquitoes. Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a
highly contagious fatal disease that can also affect the ram rabbit and
cause it to die of internal bleeding.
His ears are to be watched particularly because they are very sensitive
to ear mites in particular. The teeth of the ram rabbit also require
special attention: they must not grow crooked and must not be malformed.
It is important to give enough toys and objects to gnaw with the ram
rabbit.
This rabbit does not need to be washed, especially since it is extremely
afraid of cold and drafts. It is indeed a very clean pet that grooms
itself for a long time and regularly. The lop rabbit is also very
sensitive to extreme heat. Above 25 degrees, you should plan to moisten
your pet often.
The reproduction of the lop rabbit
The sexual maturation of the lop rabbit occurs approximately at the age
of 3 months in the female and 4 months in the male. Mating is possible all
year round. In order not to endanger the life of the female, 1 or 2 litter
per year are sufficient. A few days before giving birth, the female ram
rabbit prepares a nest in her cage, made of hay, straw, and hair. The
young (between 2 and 6) are born 30 days after mating.
Tags:
different pets