Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Fur colors/patterns/markings & breeds

Viewing 10 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • mango
      Participant
      89 posts Send Private Message

        I’m curious if certain fur colors/patterns/markings are unique to only certain breeds, and if so, which breeds? In particular I’m wondering about the following:

        1. orange (pale or bright)
        2. dark orange & chocolate brown or black mix (variety of patterns – harlequin, brindle, “Doberman”, etc)
        3. “Siamese”

        Sorry, I don’t know the proper terms, so I hope that its clear.


      • LBJ10
        Moderator
        16870 posts Send Private Message

          Many rabbit breeds come in a variety of colors and patterns. Some more distinctive markings may have started in a particular breed, but sometimes breeders will like said markings and they will introduce them into another breed. We often see tons of color and pattern variations in mixed breed rabbits as well.

          Dutch, for example, has very distinctive markings. When you say Siamese, I think you’re referring to Himalayan. But those markings are also seen in California. Harlequin can be seen in a lot of breeds now. Otter (black or gray with tan on back of neck and feet) can be seen in a variety of breeds too.

          Color and pattern genetics are pretty complicated.


        • mango
          Participant
          89 posts Send Private Message

            Thanks for your insight!

            Does “Himalayan” only refer to pure white & black (that’s what shows up in Google image searches)? Or does it also include the creamier/darker “Siamese cat” type coloring, like the profile photo of jerseygirl?

            I also noticed some of the darker & sometimes more russet Siamese-type referred to as “Cinnamon”, but I’m not clear if that’s considered a breed (conflicting information).

            Also, some of the black & russet coloring I referred to as “Doberman” for lack of a better term, seems to be referred to as “Tan” (makes no sense to me *shrug*)?


          • Bam
            Moderator
            16838 posts Send Private Message

              Himalayas actually have interesting genetics, they have a black pigment that is only expressed in the places where the bunny gets colder. Core temp is always higher, and higher temp shuts the black gene off. If a kit falls out of the nest for even a few minutes, it will develop black markings where the body gets cold. If it’s reared in a hot environment, it will be all white. I know this isn’t really what you were asking but it’s an example of how complicted color genetics can be


            • scubahood
              Participant
              88 posts Send Private Message

                woah that’s crazy

                 do the breeders chill the kits to get the desired colour then?


              • mango
                Participant
                89 posts Send Private Message

                  Wow, that’s really interesting about Himalayas!


                • Bam
                  Moderator
                  16838 posts Send Private Message

                    Scubahood,they don’t have to chill them, extremities ears and nose are cooler than core temp. You can see how this must be beneficial in snowy places, the black attract heat to the parts that may freeze and the white where they don’t need extra heat repels the sun and makes them invisible against the sun.


                  • LBJ10
                    Moderator
                    16870 posts Send Private Message

                      Mango – There is Tan the breed and tan the pattern.

                      Tan the pattern is one main color with another color on the belly, nostrils, eye circles, etc. Black otter is a “color” produced by the tan pattern gene, where they are black on their body and tan or cream on their belly and tan markings for nostrils/eye circles (they also have a patch of tan the back of their neck). Hopefully that makes sense.


                    • MoxieMeadows
                      Participant
                      5375 posts Send Private Message

                        Bam that is so cool about the markings!


                      • mango
                        Participant
                        89 posts Send Private Message

                          Just discovered Thrianta (orange), Palomino (also orange), Japanese Harlequin (russet-base), Sable (“Siamese”), Thuringer (similar coat as Cinnamon).


                        • mango
                          Participant
                          89 posts Send Private Message

                            Posted By scubahood on 7/04/2015 3:11 PM
                            do the breeders chill the kits to get the desired colour then?

                            Lol. Ice cube = zebra bunny, coming right up. (jk)

                        Viewing 10 reply threads
                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Fur colors/patterns/markings & breeds