The Harlequin rabbit is a lively, docile and intelligent rabbit. Harlequin rabbits are regarded as pets for your kids due to their gentleness. They are the clowns of the rabbit world, both with their colorful bodies and personalities.
Recognized colors: Japanese and Magpie
Harlequin Rabbit Characteristics
- The rabbit is built well and have the commercial physique.
- Male Harlequins would weigh about 6. 5 to 9 lbs, while their female counterparts weigh approximately 7 to 9.5 lbs.
- The perfect weight of a Harlequin rabbit is between 6.5 to 2 lbs (2-3 kilograms).
Harlequin rabbit colors
The mix of colors on the Harlequin rabbit is swoon-worthy. Most of them call them the clown of rabbits because of their stripes and colors.
There are two types of Harlequins: the Japanese and the Magpie.
The Harlequin rabbits are usually orange with lilac, chocolate, black or blue. Few are white combined with lilac, chocolate, black.
Magpie Harlequin rabbits are white blended with chocolate, black, blue or lilac.
Japanese Harlequin rabbits are Orange blended with chocolate, black, blue or lilac.
For the American Rabbit Breeders Association’s Standard, the perfect Harlequin rabbit is the one that has 3 part frontal alterations. The ears have different colors, the face should be different and the Feet and the torso should be different, no two should be repeated colors.
Are Harlequin rabbits good pets?
The Harlequin is a gentle, curious little animal and therefore makes an ideal companion for children and adults alike. Be sure to provide your rabbit with a few bunny-safe toys.
They’re a calm, inquisitive rabbit, but as their clown-like appearance would suggest, they do love to be the center of attention and will thoroughly enjoy playtime with their owner.
The Harlequin rabbit is an outgoing creature who loves to hop around and explore every inch of his rooms, even if they’ve done it dozens of times before. They are truly the clowns of the rabbit world, both with their colorful bodies and personalities.
They are good-natured bunnies who will appreciate the occasional pat on the head and back scratch. Although this is not a small-sized rabbit, they still do well with children, so long as younger ones are supervised while they play with your harlequin. Harlequin rabbits make good pets.
How do you care for a Harlequin Rabbit?
Harlequin should be raised in an enclosure and have enough space for your rabbit to extend outside their legs comfortably.
Indoor rabbits ought to have a wire enclosure that also allows them room to stretch out. Their bedding should be in order that they can lay down on soft bedding.
The bedding should be cleaned weekly, plus it ought to be wholly replaced.
The diet of the rabbit is 70 percent of hay. The remainder of their diet needs to be a mix of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Some surprising foods which are actually dangerous to rabbits include leafy greens and onions, celery, leeks, chives.
In contrast to popular belief, you shouldn’t feed your rabbit most lettuces, which will offer your rabbit stomach ulcers.
There are loads of other leafy greens and veggies that you may feed your rabbit such as parsnips, watercress, Brussels sweet and sprouts.
As you’re at work, it is best to keep them within their enclosure where they’re protected from injury but while you’re home, then be certain you allow your bunny roam free around your home so they can obtain their much-needed exercise, also interact.
Rabbits are much harder to litter train compared to other animals like cats, birds, and dogs however it is possible with lots of patience, perseverance and tons of treats.
The potty training will take more time, but it’s worth it in the end. As you will end up 5 to 6 beautiful litters every now and then.
Harlequin rabbit fur
Harlequin rabbit’s unique coloring fur will not require much of maintenance. But they do require periodic grooming. The loss of fur is minimal and regular, nothing to worry.
The indoor rabbits are easy to clean if they are soiled. Under no conditions should you give your rabbit a bath, because this causes them stress.
Harlequin rabbit health issues
Harlequin rabbit should not be allowed to gain too much weight as overweight rabbits have difficulty grooming, making them prime candidates for flystrike. This is a nasty problem, lay their eggs in the dirty coat and the resulting maggots burrow under the rabbit’s skin. This may result in infection and causes distress.
All rabbits do have a problem with their overgrown teeth. This is caused only because of the diet we choose. Harlequin rabbits are susceptible to overgrown teeth. The growth of teeth never stops in the rabbits. So can we stop this being a problem?
It’s quite simple. A diet that lacks in the hay, is the prime cause for overgrown teeth. Their teeth could grow much more than they are supposed to and grow into their jaws and mouths and be very painful. Consistently track your rabbit’s teeth taking a peek into their mouth weekly or so to be certain they’re being kept fine and brief.
Important to continue to keep Harlequin nails short so that they do not inadvertently harm themselves or others while they’re on palms. Don’t cut their nails too short. Either take your rabbit to your local veterinarian to do this or you may do it by yourself.
Rabbits may suffer from troubles and diarrhea is not uncommon. A high-fiber diet together having great hay, legumes and green leaves and tons of fresh, refreshing water is at most necessity.
A regular check-up of worms, ticks, and fleas need to be done. Also, vaccinations as per schedule to be taken care of.
Harlequin rabbit origin
The Harlequins are known to appear in France approximately the 1880’s. It is accounted the rabbits were developed from semi-wild Tortoise Shell Dutch Rabbits.
They were first exhibited in Paris in the year 1887. Next, they have been also imported to England.
And around the 1920s, the appearance of Harlies in America has been listed. During this period, Harlequins were known as “Japanese”.
At the peak of World War II, the Harlequins were used as meat rabbits.
It was only on this time when the conventional Harlequins are combinations of either black or other color (with no silvering), also part white or orange (with the brighter one being chosen ).
The blend of orange with other colors is called “Japanese Harlequins” and the one with white blend with other colors is called “Magpie Harlequins”.
The Harlequin rabbit has a strong following for show purpose but not a famous face among breeders.
Is Harlequin a breed of rabbits?
Many fanciers believe that Harlequin is just a color, not a breed. A mere mix of colors make up Harlequin, but it is wrongly considered as a breed of rabbit. This is the most debatable subject, but right now the Harlequin is considered as a breed.
At Harlequin’s standardization, 75 out of 100 points have been credited to the rabbit’s color and markings. Even this proves to the point that Harlequin has been given more importance to color and marking, instead of any breed characteristics.
Hello, I am Siddartha Reddy . A fulltime farmer and blogger who love to share all his farming experiences. Also, a strong supporter of sustainable farming practices. Thanks for visiting our site, let’s make this world a better place to live. Say No to Chemicals and plastics.
