| Species | Small Mammal |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Size Category | Small |
| Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus |
| Category | Lagomorph |
| Original Purpose | Companion/Show |
| Husbandry Difficulty | Beginner |
| Social Needs | High |
| Weight Range | 1.4–2 kg |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 7–10 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 6 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 7 years |
| Exercise Needs | High - active and playful; minimum 3 hours free-roam daily |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Minimal due to short velvety rex fur; nail trims; check hock sores |
| Annual Exam Focus | Hock condition (sore hocks common), dental, GI health, weight |
| Routine Care | Unlimited hay; soft flooring (rex fur provides less foot padding); regular hock checks |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sore Hocks (Pododermatitis) | adult | high | Yes | Recommended |
| GI Stasis | adult | high | No | N/A |
| Dental Disease | adult | medium | Yes | Recommended |
| Pasteurella | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Obesity | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Risk Level | Medium |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 3/9 |
| Visual Cues | Compact body; should feel firm not squishy; ribs palpable with light pressure |
| Daily Activity | 60 minutes |
| Caloric Notes | Unlimited timothy hay; 1/4 cup pellets per 2 lbs; daily fresh greens |
| Litter Size | 3–7 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | Low |
| CHIC Required Tests | N/A |
| Recommended DNA Tests | Rex gene confirmation |
| Neonatal Weight | 30–50 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Rex fur develops by 3-4 weeks; full size by 6-7 months; ear carriage set by 12 weeks |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | RHDV2; Myxomatosis (where available) |
| Temperature | 15-22°C (60-72°F) |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 40-60% |
| UVB Requirement | Not required |
| Diet | 80% timothy hay; quality pellets; leafy greens; limited treats |
| Common Issues | Sore hocks (thin fur on feet), GI stasis, dental disease, obesity, respiratory infections |
| Anxiety Proneness | Low |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Predator presence, sudden loud noises, being alone for extended periods |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | High |
| Calming Interventions | Companion rabbit, soft bedding, consistent routine, gentle petting |
| Enrichment Needs | Tunnels, digging boxes, platforms, puzzle feeders, cardboard toys |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | Low |
| Sociability Score | 9/10 |
| Locomotion | Binkying, running, exploring, digging, chinning |
|---|---|
| Social | Very social and affectionate; seeks human interaction; bonds well with other rabbits |
| Comfort | Flopping, tooth purring, stretching out fully, grooming handler |
| Stress/Displacement | Thumping, hiding, reduced appetite, over-grooming feet |
| Breed-Specific | Distinctive velvety plush coat; calm and friendly temperament; prone to sore hocks on hard surfaces |
| Types | Tooth purring (contentment), thumping, soft grunting, honking (excitement) |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 100-2,000 Hz |
| Tendency | Low |
| Primary Modality | Body language primary; very expressive with posture and ear position |
| Tail/Body Signals | Tail up = confident/happy; tail down = resting/cautious |
| Top Problems | Sore hock licking, food selectivity, occasional territorial behavior |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | Hock pain causing reduced movement; dental pain causing food refusal |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Generally calm breed; freezing rather than bolting; trusts humans readily |
| Frustration Etiology | Minimal destructive behavior; may thump for attention |
| Learned Behavior | Excellent litter training; comes when called; enjoys being held (unusual for rabbits) |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Age-related mobility decline; possible arthritis in hocks |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Foot positioning (shifting weight off sore hocks), relaxation indicators (full flop), approach behavior |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | Reduced movement may indicate hock pain rather than contentment - check foot condition |
| Interspecies Communication | One of most human-friendly rabbit breeds; initiates contact; tolerates handling well |