Chinchilla rabbit
Three rabbit breeds bred for chinchilla-like fur.
Last updated
Chinchilla rabbits are a group of three rabbit breeds bred for a coat resembling that of chinchillas. Despite the name, they are not related to chinchillas (rodents) and cannot interbreed with them; rabbits are lagomorphs. A mutation diluted the yellow pigment in the hairs to almost white, changing the wild-type agouti fur into chinchilla coloration.
Quick Facts
- Breeds
- Standard
- American
- Giant
- Weight range
- 5.5–16 lb (2.5–7.3 kg)
- Origin
- France (Standard); United States (American and Giant)
- Fur type
- Rollback fur
- Primary uses
- Meat and fur (American); commercial meat (Giant)
- Conservation status
- American Chinchilla is critically endangered (Livestock Conservancy)
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Standard Chinchilla is the original chinchilla version, with larger versions developed from it. It has a compact body and rollback fur.
The American Chinchilla, also called Heavyweight Chinchilla, was bred from large Standard Chinchillas to produce a meatier rabbit. It has a commercial body type and the same rollback coat. The Giant Chinchilla resulted from crosses between Chinchilla and Flemish Giant breeds and originates in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the three Chinchilla rabbit breeds originate?
The Standard Chinchilla was developed in France, while both the American and Giant Chinchilla were bred in the United States.
How big do Chinchilla rabbits get, and what kind of coat do they have?
Weights span roughly 5.5 to 16 lb (2.5–7.3 kg) depending on whether you're looking at the Standard, American, or Giant. All three carry a dense rollback-type fur that gives them that plush, chinchilla-like texture.
More in Domestic Breeds & Types
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Chinchilla rabbit (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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