Angora rabbits are known for their long hair and look like fluffy balls; that’s why everyone loves to cuddle with them. They need more attention from owners and enjoy playing with cats. They can easily live indoors within cages due to their small body size and love to play outdoors. More than ten varieties of this species are present in nature with varying sizes, shapes, fur sizes, and quality.
Angora rabbits are named for their origin, as they originated in Ankara, a city in Turkey. They have long or beautiful hair and are raised for fur and meat. Their pregnancy period lasts for 29 to 32 days, and the size of litter is 3 to 10 kits. Their body weight and length lie between 4.5 to 12 pounds and 10 to 15 inches. Depending on variety, their cost ranges between $50 and $600.
It is essential to handle them with great care as they have sensitive skin. The pet owners should keep a check on their kids to keep them away from these furry animals because they pull out furs. This behavior provokes aggression in Angora rabbits and results in defensive attacks. This species is “cashmere” due to the high-profit margin in the selling price.
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Characteristics of Angora Rabbits
How do you identify the Angora rabbit?
Why are Angora rabbits called so?
What is the size of Angora rabbits?
What is special about the Angora rabbit?
How much do Angora rabbits cost?
What is another name for the Angora rabbit?
Can Angora rabbits be kept as pets?
How long can Angora rabbits live?
At what age can Angora rabbits get pregnant?
What are the uses of Angora rabbits?
Characteristics of Angora Rabbits
| Characteristics | Angora Rabbits |
| Scientific name | Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus |
| Common habitat | Domestic |
| Weight | 4.5 to 12 pounds |
| Size | 10 to 15 inches |
| Food | Fiber rich food, hay or grass |
| Litter size | 3 to 10 kits |
| Physical appearance | Round body with long hair |
| Temperament | Social, friendly |
| Origin | (Ankara) Turkey |
| Duration of Gestation | 29 to 32 days |
| Life expectancy | 8 to 11 years |
| Use | Fabric and Meat production |
| Cost | $50 to $600 |
How do you identify the Angora rabbit?
It is easy to identify the breed of Angora rabbits by its fur or long hair. It is a distinguishing feature of this species as long hairs cover their face and ears.
However, their nose and legs have small hair and look hairless. Their body colors can be used as a visual marker to identify them. They appear black, white, blue, chocolate, steel, opal, copper, brown, cream, fawn, pearl, red, chestnut, tortoise color, squirrel color, etc.
They have erect, tufted, and wooly ears. The fringed ears are covered with thick and long furs that are curved and droopy towards the front side and enhance their beauty.
Furthermore, they have bright grey or blue eyes covered with hair. This is the only breed with thicker, longer, and wooly fur on the head, forehead, and even cheeks.
Why are Angora rabbits called so?
The Angora rabbits originated in Ankara, Turkey. Historically, the city was known as Angora, so this breed of rabbits was also named Angora. After that, this breed was brought to France in the 18th century.
It became popular in the royal community of France and then in all of Europe. Angora is famous for owning many long-haired animals other than rabbits, such as cats and goats. The breeds of other animals with the same features and origin are also famous with the name Angoras.
What is the size and weight of Angora rabbits?
The small, rounded body of Angora rabbits varies in size and shape according to their varieties. Some have dwarf stature, while others gain several inches in length.
On average, their body length is from 10 to 15 inches or 25.4 to 38.1cm. Their body height lies between 11 to 14 inches, but it increases slightly for females.
Let’s know about their weight! The average body of an Angora rabbit is about 4.5 to 12 pounds or 2 to 5.4kg. The weight of dwarf varieties ranges between 4.5 to 7 pounds, while it is more than 7 pounds for larger ones.
Many physical or genetic factors have influence on their size or weight and bring variations. The physical factors include health condition, care, and food availability.
Similarly, their gender, age, or environmental conditions also determine their physical attributes as they attain maximum weight and size in ideal conditions.
What is special about the Angora rabbit?
A few behavioral characteristics and physical features of Angora rabbits make them special. They are intelligent and active pets that like to play with toys outdoors.
In addition, they are not highly aggressive like a few other breeds and interact with humans. They are social and play with their owners, but do not like to be held tightly.
Once, I visited my friend’s house and saw him playing with his pet Angora rabbit. The pet bunny was curling up with him but was reluctant to be hand-held by me, probably due to a lack of bonding and recognition.
When I tried to hold it, it got frightened and became aggressive instantly. So, I moved away immediately, and it returned to its normal behavior within a few minutes.
One more thing that all pet owners should know about this species is the presence of weak spines in their bodies. Poor handling can cause injury or damage, so be careful while cuddling with them.
How much do Angora rabbits cost?
Angora rabbits are more expensive than a few commonly available breeds, but their cost varies according to the varieties with varying features.
You can expect to find a rabbit of this breed for around $50 at minimum. However, some of its varieties are expensive and are available for between $300 and $550.
This price does not involve their monthly expenses, which are more than other breeds because they need regular care in terms of grooming and eating habits.
Their lineage determines the cost, as the variety belonging to the poor lineage will be less expensive than those from the standard or elite varieties.
On average, the cost of Angora rabbits is about $180 to $250. However, their cost depends primarily on the variety, and secondary factors include age and gender.
What is another name for the Angora rabbit?
Angora rabbits have got several names by people due to multiple varieties that are recognized by their features and sometimes the local area.
Five varieties of Angora rabbits have been known so far. They are all listed by the International Association of German Angora Rabbit Breeders (IAGARB) and the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).
These breeds are French Angora, English Angora, Giant Angora, German Angora, and Satin Angora. However, some resources mention more than ten varieties of this breed.
Every variety has some similarities and differences in its features. Some have shorter bodies and varying shapes, while others have different types or qualities of fur.
However, all of its varieties have different handling techniques and grooming requirements. So, you can keep two of their varieties as pets, as both will need the same care level.
Can Angora rabbits be kept as pets?
Angora rabbits are produced as a result of a natural mutation and are considered suitable for keeping in a domestic environment. They can be kept as pets or for commercial purposes.
They can become a cute and friendly pet, if owners take proper care. In addition, they are trustworthy and social animals that can become your friends if you fulfill their needs.
They need proper grooming sessions and care for their survival. This is why they are good to keep in domestic settings, where their owners take great care of their needs.
They need frequent grooming due to fast hair growth. In case of lack of attention and grooming, their visibility gets affected because long fur hair covers their eyes.
In addition, these hairs can cause clogging in the stomach when eaten with food. This condition is called wool block and causes mortality in bunnies when the clog gets stuck in the digestive tract.
They need a cool or shady environment because dense fur on their bodies can cause overheating during sun exposure. Moreover, they need 2 to 5 grooming sessions in a week.
Lack of grooming or long hair provides an ideal spot for ticks and parasites to live. Check their fur regularly and remove these parasitic organisms for a prolonged lifespan.
How long can Angora rabbits live?
The lifespan of Angora rabbits depends on the care and protection provided by pet owners. The average life span of Angora rabbits ranges between 8 and 11 years.
However, their life expectancy can increase by up to 14 years in ideal conditions. The life span of all Angora breeds varies as Giant Angoras can live up to 12 years in normal domestic settings.
Their survival rate is not good in wild settings due to their lack of adaptation. However, they can complete their maximum lifespan when kept in a domestic environment. They are also easy targets for predators.
In addition, they can easily get injured and are prone to various health issues. So, they can only survive longer if there is someone to protect them from infections and groom their bodies.
At what age can Angora rabbits get pregnant?
Angora rabbits can get pregnant when they reach adulthood or mature stage. So, it is better to avoid mating between male and female partners until they get mature.
It takes almost 9 months for this breed to get mature. After that, the female does can get pregnant for almost 5 years because they remain young till that age.
The female doe must be clipped properly before mating. It is not suggested to cross breed this species. Their rate of fertilization and the normal litter size is much lesser than other breeds.
The litter size can be as small as 2 to 6 kits per litter or as large as 9 to 12 kits per litter. However, they produce 3 to 10 kits on average. Their gestation period is similar to that of another breed of rabbit and lasts for 29 to 32 days.
What are the uses of Angora rabbits?
Angora rabbits are generally kept or grown for commercial purposes. They are a good source of lean meat or rich source of protein.
Also, their manure is good for crops due to the presence of high nitrogen content. It improves the fertility of crops and can also be used to manufacture fertilizers.
They are popular for providing different types of fibers and wool. They produce high-quality wool, which is used for making fabric or knitting.
Their silky furs have significantly contributed to the textile industry. Additionally, their beautiful bodies and fluffy coats make them ideal candidates for exhibitions and shows.