| Species | Small Mammal |
|---|---|
| Origin | Turkey/England |
| Size Category | Small |
| Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus |
| Category | Lagomorph |
| Original Purpose | Fiber/Companion/Show |
| Husbandry Difficulty | Advanced |
| Social Needs | High |
| Weight Range | 2–3.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 7–12 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 8 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 7 years |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate - less active than short-haired breeds; gentle exercise to avoid matting |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Very High - daily brushing essential; full grooming sessions 2-3 times weekly; shearing every 3-4 months |
| Annual Exam Focus | Wool block (critical), skin condition under wool, dental, eye irritation from facial wool |
| Routine Care | Daily grooming; unlimited hay; regular shearing; check for urine-soaked wool; eye cleaning |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wool Block (Trichobezoar) | adult | very high | No | N/A |
| GI Stasis | adult | very high | No | N/A |
| Flystrike (Myiasis) | adult | high | No | N/A |
| Skin Infections | adult | high | No | N/A |
| Eye Irritation | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Dental Disease | adult | medium | Yes | Recommended |
| Risk Level | Medium |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 3/9 |
| Visual Cues | Impossible to visually assess under wool; must palpate body condition through dense fiber |
| Daily Activity | 30 minutes |
| Caloric Notes | Unlimited timothy hay (critical); moderate pellets; papaya enzyme supplements for wool prevention |
| Litter Size | 2–6 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | Medium |
| CHIC Required Tests | N/A |
| Recommended DNA Tests | Wool density/quality genes |
| Neonatal Weight | 30–60 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Wool grows rapidly from 4 weeks; first shearing at 3-4 months; full coat density by 1 year |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | RHDV2; Myxomatosis (where available) |
| Temperature | 15-20°C (60-68°F); heat-sensitive due to dense wool |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 35-55% (lower to prevent wool dampness) |
| UVB Requirement | Not required |
| Diet | 80% timothy hay; papaya/pineapple enzyme supplements; quality pellets; greens (avoid wet leaves) |
| Common Issues | Wool block (life-threatening), GI stasis, flystrike, skin infections, matting, heatstroke, eye irritation |
| Anxiety Proneness | Low |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Rough grooming, matting pain, overheating, wet wool |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | Medium |
| Calming Interventions | Gentle grooming routine, cool environment, consistent handler, quiet surroundings |
| Enrichment Needs | Limited by wool (avoid items that catch fiber); safe chew toys, gentle interaction, cool resting areas |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | Low |
| Sociability Score | 7/10 |
| Locomotion | Gentle hopping, limited binkying (wool restricts movement), careful navigation |
|---|---|
| Social | Docile and calm; tolerates handling well; bonds with dedicated groomer |
| Comfort | Flopping (when wool allows), tooth purring, gentle stretching |
| Stress/Displacement | Reduced appetite (wool block warning), hiding, matting acceleration, reduced grooming |
| Breed-Specific | Produces harvestable angora fiber; extremely high-maintenance coat; docile temperament suited to regular handling; "cloud-like" appearance |
| Types | Tooth purring, soft thumping, gentle grunting |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 100-1,500 Hz |
| Tendency | Very Low |
| Primary Modality | Body language limited by wool coverage; tooth sounds primary; reduced visual signaling |
| Tail/Body Signals | Hidden under wool - not visible for signaling |
| Top Problems | Grooming resistance (if painful mats), wool-related hygiene issues, heat stress behavior |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | Wool block (most critical - can be fatal); skin infections causing discomfort; eye irritation |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Generally very docile; freezing rather than fleeing; rarely aggressive |
| Frustration Etiology | Minimal - calm temperament; may resist grooming if painful |
| Learned Behavior | Tolerates extensive handling/grooming; calm for shearing; routine-oriented |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Standard age-related decline; mobility may decrease with age and wool weight |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Appetite changes (wool block early warning), body tension during grooming, tooth grinding intensity |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | Reduced hay intake is CRITICAL signal - may indicate wool block requiring emergency vet care |
| Interspecies Communication | Excellent human bonding due to extensive handling requirements; calm and trusting; "lap rabbit" |