Chinchilla rabbits are a group of three
rabbit breeds
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world. A rabbit breed is a distinct variety created through selective breeding (or occasionally natural selection) for specific characteristics, including si ...
that have been bred for a coat that resembles that of
chinchilla
Chinchillas are either of two species (''Chinchilla chinchilla'' and ''Chinchilla lanigera'') of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mount ...
s. Despite their name, they are not related to and cannot interbreed with chinchillas, which are a species of rodent. Rabbits are
lagomorphs
The lagomorphs are the members of the taxonomic order Lagomorpha, of which there are two living families: the Leporidae ( hares and rabbits) and the Ochotonidae (pikas). The name of the order is derived from the Ancient Greek ''lagos'' (λαΠ...
. A mutation diluted the yellow pigment in the hairs to almost white, changing in this way the color of the fur of the wild rabbit (agouti) into chinchilla.
There are three breeds of Chinchilla rabbit recognized by the ARBA ,"American Rabbit Breeders Association".
Standard Chinchilla
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Standard Chinchilla is the original chinchilla version with the larger versions being developed from it. It has a compact body and rollback fur.
American Chinchilla
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The American Chinchilla or "Heavyweight Chinchilla" is larger than the Standard Chinchilla, it has a commercial body type but the same roll back coat. Standard Chinchillas bred for large size produced this breed. Chinchilla Rabbits originated in France and were bred to standard by M. J. Dybowski. They were introduced to the United States in 1919.
Bred to be a meat and fur rabbit, the American Chinchilla Rabbit can be shown/exhibited or kept as a stocky, hardy pet. American Chinchilla Rabbits do not require regular grooming. Adult American Chinchilla Rabbits weigh different for each sex. Males (Bucks)- 9-11#, and Females (Does) 10-12#. These stocky rabbits have a slight curve to their medium length bodies, beginning at the nape of their necks and following through to the rump. They carry their ears straight erect. The quality of the pelt is first and more important when breeding for the "Standard Of Perfection". American Chinchilla Rabbits are a six-class breed in show. (Any rabbit that matures over 9 pounds is a 6-class breed, maturation weights under 9# are 4-class breeds.) The American Chinchilla Rabbit was bred from large Standard Chinchilla Rabbits in order to produce a meatier rabbit. They were originally called Heavyweight Chinchilla Rabbits.
Junior and intermediate American Chinchilla Rabbits may be shown in age classifications higher than their own if they are overweight. Bucks and does under six months and nine pounds are considered juniors. Intermediate American Chinchilla Rabbits are bucks and does six to eight months of age.
The American Chinchilla Rabbit is listed on "The Livestock Conservancy as being the only "critically endangered" rabbit at this time.
American Chinchilla Rabbits are good breeders, with an average litter of 6-9 kits.
Giant Chinchilla
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The Giant Chinchilla is a result of crosses between Chinchilla and
Flemish Giant Not to be confused with the Continental Giant rabbit
The Flemish Giant rabbit is the largest breed of domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus''). Flemish Giants are historically a utility breed used for their fur and meat. They are o ...
breeds; it originates in the United States. This breed is used primarily as a commercial meat rabbit.
See also
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Domestic rabbit
A domestic or domesticated rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'')—more commonly known as a pet rabbit, bunny, bun, or bunny rabbit—is a subspecies of European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph family. A male rabbit is known as a ''bu ...
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List of rabbit breeds
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world. A rabbit breed is a distinct variety created through selective breeding (or occasionally natural selection) for specific characteristics, including si ...
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Rabbit hair
Rabbit hair (also called rabbit fur, cony, coney, comb or lapin) is the fur of the common rabbit. It is most commonly used in the making of fur hats and coats, and is considered quite valuable today, although it was once a lower-priced commodi ...
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List of types of fur
This list of types of fur describes the characteristics of types of fur used in fur clothing. Each type of fur serves its own purpose and has its own unique characteristics in garment manufacturing.
Chinchilla
Characterized by their dense, vel ...
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Fur farming
Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur.
Most of the world's farmed fur is produced by European farmers. In 2018, there were 5,000 fur farms in the EU, all located across 22 countries; these ...
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British Rabbit Council
The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is an organisation for rabbit enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. Rabbits are the UK's third most popular pet.
History
The British Rabbit Council was formed in 1934 when the British Rabbit Society and the National ...
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American Rabbit Breeders' Association
The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) is a national club for domestic rabbit and cavy breeders. The ARBA is headquartered in Knox, Pennsylvania in the United States. Its membership is composed of rabbit and cavy breeders throughout, fanc ...
External links
The Giant Chinchilla Rabbit AssociationAmerican Chinchilla Rabbit Breed HistoryBreeds of RabbitsFacts about chinchillasAmerican Chinchilla Rabbits
References
{{Reflist
Rabbit breeds
Rabbit breeds originating in the United States