If you like rabbits, you’ve probably heard of angora rabbit, also known as Angora rabbit, a breed of Turkish origin that has become popular mainly for its bulky white fur. But did you know that there are up to four varieties of angora rabbits and that each has its own characteristics?
In this list of Animal Expertes, you can learn 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, we will also talk about the main care and food necessary for it to lead a healthy and happy life. Don’t miss anything!
- The rabbit of Angora is a breed of rabbit originating in Turkey.
- Specifically from the region of Ankara.
- From where also comes the cat of Angora.
- Originally.
- These lagomorphs were developed mainly for the exploitation of their fur.
- Used to manufacture the precious fiber known as angora wool.
Years later, in the mid-18th century, angora rabbits began to become popular as pets, after being adopted as pets by French royalty. By the end of the same century, they had already spread across the European continent, thanks to their charming appearance and quiet and friendly personality. During the 20th century, they began to “export” to the United States, where they also gained popularity.
When “original” Angora rabbits were introduced in different countries, they began to be selectively bred with other rabbits typical of each country or region. And so emerged the four varieties of Angora rabbits currently recognized by the American Rabbit Breeding Association (ARBA), which are:
The morphological characteristics of the Angora rabbit may vary slightly depending on the variety to which each individual belongs. Naturally, the most characteristic feature of this breed is its bulky and abundant hair, which still today has a market value very high for the quality of wool that it provides for the making of coats.
The most common hair color in angora rabbits is 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 fur must always be completely white. Next, we’ll talk about the most noteworthy physical characteristics of each variety of angora rabbits:
As well as the beauty of its fur, it is the docile and balanced personality that characterizes Angora’s rabbits. These lagomorphs tend to be very peaceful in their daily life, behaving patiently and lovingly with their owners. They are generally easy to socialize because they usually enjoy their family’s company and can be very well suited to other animals. For all these reasons, they can become great pets for children, as long as they receive a proper education and have a positive environment in which they can feel safe. They should also enforce their moments of silence, especially when they are resting and eating.
In addition, Angora rabbits are very intelligent animals and predisposed to learn. Therefore, when adopting a rabbit, it is important to participate in your education and mental stimulation, presenting you with different orders of obedience, tricks, tasks and various activities.
One of Angora’s main rabbit care is the regular maintenance that requires her beautiful fur. Ideally, brush it two or three times a week, always using a suitable brush so as not to break the fiber of your delicate hair. When brushing your rabbit’s skin, remember to soothe and soothe it before you start combing it. Because they are very sensitive and attentive, rabbits can be easily frightened; therefore, it is advisable to always make the cleaning session a moment of relaxation, care and mutual trust.
As mentioned in the previous section, it will be very important to stimulate the spirit 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 yourself and encourage you to persevere in your learning, you can use healthy snacks, such as small pieces of fruits and good rabbit vegetables.
In addition to working on their cognitive abilities, angora rabbits also need and enjoy physical activities. Ideally, they should be able to get out of the cage every day and have an open and safe space to run, jump and explore their surroundings. Exercise is essential to manage a healthy weight and balanced behavior, avoiding obesity and your rabbit’s behavioral problems.
Good hygiene will also be an important care for the Angora rabbit, preventing it from coming into contact with potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Ideally, faeces and food waste, such as wet hay or pieces of food, should be cleaned daily to prevent build-up. Drinkers and feeders should be washed at least three times a week, and the entire lagomorph cage should be cleaned at least once a week.
Like all animals, Angora rabbits need to receive a complete and balanced diet in order to develop completely physically, emotionally and cognitively. The rabbit diet must fully meet the specific nutritional needs at every stage of their life. Hay will be the most important part of adult rabbit feeding, thanks to its high fiber content that stimulates intestinal transit and facilitates digestion, thus avoiding gastrointestinal problems.
Your rabbit should have fresh, good quality hay in the cage, but you should check and change it regularly to prevent it from getting wet or coming into contact with urine or faeces. Moisture promotes 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 amounts adapted to your height, weight, age and lifestyle. It will also be essential to provide ideal hydration to your rabbit, always leaving fresh and clean water in the cage.
Finally, remember that rabbits should carry their teeth as they grow. In specialized shops, you can find organic wood and fruit tree branches suitable for your rabbit. But make sure they come from sustainable sources, to avoid containing chemicals that can harm your lagomorphic friend’s health.
Angora rabbits tend to adapt better to temperate climates and can suffer a lot from heat. Therefore, you should pay close attention to your environment on the hottest days, to avoid suffering a heatstroke at high temperatures. In addition to always keeping clean, fresh water available to your rabbit, make sure you have at least one cool, well-ventilated area.
On the other hand, cold, adverse weather and sudden temperature changes can also affect the health of your lagomorph. Although the angora rabbit has abundant fur that helps it stay warm, it is also sensitive to cold and may suffer burns, colds and even hypothermia when exposed to low temperatures. Therefore, be sure to provide a properly conditioned shelter for your rabbit during the winter.
In addition, Angora rabbit may develop some common diseases in lagomorphs, such as rabies, tularemia, viral, bacterial or fungal infections, skin problems such as scabies, among others. Your rabbit will also need adequate preventive medicine to maintain optimal health and prevent the development of these conditions. Therefore, consider taking your veterinarian to the specialist veterinarian every 6 months for preventive consultations and to keep your vaccinations up to date.