Rabbit Diets and Different Kinds of Rabbits

Rabbits are associated with magic and tricksters, and it can sometimes be quite a trick to correctly identify the different breeds of bunnies. Some factors to consider when determining the breed of a rabbit include size, shape, color, ear carriage and markings. A rabbit's diet varies, but rabbits are always exclusively vegetarians.

  1. Lop-Eared Rabbits

    • Although we often associate bunnies with straight up-and-down ears, lop-eared varieties have large, floppy ears that fall forward or rest on the ground. The five breeds of lop-eared rabbits are Holland Lop, American Fuzzy Lop, English Lop, Mini Lop and French Lop. If your rabbit's ears don't resemble and old-fashioned TV antenna, it may be a member of the lop-eared family.

    Small Breeds

    • Small breeds of rabbits generally reach a weight of 7.5 pounds at the maximum. The most popular of the small breeds, and the ones most often found in pet stores, include the Mini Rex, the Mini Lop and the Dutch.

    Medium to Large Breeds

    • Medium to large breeds of rabbits aren't usually found in pet stores, but can be acquired from the Humane Society or a rabbit breeder. They range in weight from 5-12 pounds. Popular medium-sized rabbits include the New Zealand White, the Rex and the Californian. Many rabbits categorized as "mixed breeds" are medium sized. Some Angora and Chinchilla rabbits are also in this weight range.

    Giant Breeds

    • The American Rabbit Breeders Association lists no maximum weight for giant breeds of rabbits. The current bunny weight record holder is Darius, a 50-pound, 4- foot-long member of the Continental Giant family. Other giant breeds include the Flemish Giant, French Lop and Engish Lop.

    Fur and Markings

    • In addition to ear shape and size, rabbits are identified by the quality and texture of, and markings on, their fur. Angora rabbits have fur that is classified as wool, which is in high demand for yarn. The Satin Angora is distinctive for the sheen of it's fur. The length of an angora's fur can range from 1-3 inches. A Rex rabbit has very short fur that is dense like a stuffed animal. Some breeds of rabbit have distinctive markings. The Californian Rabbit has a white body with a colored nose, feet and tail. The Checkered Giant has eye rings and spots on its cheeks. A Dwarf Hotot has what resembles black mascara around its eyes, and the Harlequin has striped bands of color circling its body.

    Rabbit Diet

    • There's a reason that salads are sometimes jokingly referred to as "rabbit food." Rabbits are vegetarians, and when living in the wild will eat grass and other leafy plants. For this reason, a pet rabbit prefers and will be most healthy when eating a diet consisting of mostly hay and vegetables, such as carrots and lettuce. Commercial rabbit foods are also sold in pet stores in the form of pellets. These types of feeds were originally developed to fatten up rabbits used for meat, and are not recommended as the healthiest option for pet rabbits.