What are Rex rabbits?

A rabbit that is having a velvet texture of plush fur is a Rex rabbit. The breed is developed in France by using the wild gray rabbits. The Rex rabbit is mostly used for the fur industry all over the world. But in the United States, the breed is used as pets, meat production, for fur and as show rabbits.

Rex rabbit history and origin

In 1919, the breeders from France discovered the wild grey rabbit’s lustrous fur. They developed the breed over the years and introduced it to the public in the year 1924. The Paris International Rabbit show showcased the famous plush fur Rex rabbit, it immediately gained attention. The fur industry loved the rex fur. The same year 1924, the Rex was imported to the United States by the breeders John C.Fehr and Alfred Zimmerman.

In 1925, the breed is recognized as the standard in Europe. The American Rabbit Breeders Association has recognized the Rex, but the British Rabbit Council has not. Some of the recognized Rex rabbit breeds are Astrex, Canadian Plush Lop, Mini Rex, Miniature Rexm Opossum, Plush Lop Minature, Plus Lop Standard, Rex, and Velveteen Lop.

Rex rabbit breed information

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association standard is a medium-sized breed with a round body.

Rex has a slightly broader head, with upright ears and smaller feet when compared to other rabbits.

The doe(female rabbit) has a large flap of skin under the chin know as a dewlap, usually present in large rabbit breeds.

The adult Rex rabbit weighs about 3 to 5 kg(6 to 11 lbs).

The Rex doesn’t have the long guard hairs, just the short hairs. They are pretty dense and uniform.

Rex can jump as high as 3 feet, with a moderate activity level.

Rex rabbit comes in many colors. Only 16 of them are recognized in the United States like white, California, amber, black, opal, chinchilla, seal, castor, mixed color of white.

Rex rabbits live as pets from 5 to 6 years. Lifespan will increase if they are neutered.

Rex rabbit personality

The temperament of the rabbit is docile and friendly. Rex is not aggressive. They would love to be held.

Petting and handling can be done. Most Americans keep them as pets, so they are safe with children too.

Is a Rex rabbit a good pet?

For being a good pet, the Rex has satisfied all these characteristics. They are docile, affectionate and playful. Their good-natured and motherly traits are awesome.

Rex has only dense short hairs, which is velvety in style.

A low maintenance pet that is intelligent and has a calm temperament. They are good with children and even with other pets.

There have been instances where Rex was a foster mother for other kids. Very gentle breed and an excellent choice of pet for families.

Rex rabbit fur

The unique genetic mutation that resulted in the plush fur of the Rex rabbit is sought after by everyone. The word rex means the characteristic as “rexed” fur. The fur is short, plush, and dense that stands upright to the body. Kind of springy resistance to the touch.

The fur doesn’t have any guard hairs, which are long hairs usually present in other rabbit breeds. Rex has only dense short hairs, which is velvety in style.

There are multiple varieties of rex fur like long curly fur, short curly fur, and standard rex fur.

Rex rabbit care

Rabbits require enough room to play. The cage or housing needs to big enough to accommodate rabbits and also has a small play area. A recommended space of 32 sq ft.

There are some bunny safe enclosures, not all cages are good for bunnies. They are very delicate animals, the metal wires should not hurt them.

The bedding needs to be cleaned once a day, else the smell and dirt will pile up.

Bunnies are very socialized animals. Proper care to be taken while handling them. Hold them by ear and make them comfortable by place hand under them.

Rabbits love to chew on everything around. Keep your favorite carpets far, poisonous plants away and sometimes the sofa should be very far. They will get sick and die based on the severity.

Rabbits are generally clean animals. It doesn’t require a lot of grooming, will end up damaging the coat.

Rex doesn’t require bathing. Bathing needs to be avoided on rabbits, it creates a lot of stress and chills. Just take a damp cloth to take off the superficial dust or dirt.

Can Rex rabbits live outside?

Rabbits generally more sensitive to either heat or cold. The optimal temperature of 35 to 40 degrees is good. Bunnies are very fragile animals, need to handle them carefully.

Can Rex rabbits live outside in winter? The fur keeps them warm during winters, but extreme cold rex can’t manage by themselves. In nature, they dig deep burrows, but not in your backyard.

Feed

Being herbivores, the rabbit only consumes plant-based foods. Diet should consist of 70 percent hay and rest with pellets.

An adult rabbit of weight 5 lbs can consume a quarter cup of high-fiber pellets.

In general Rex bunnies eat carrots or celery are their favorites. They can be fed as treats at any time of the day.

Health

Hay is an important food, which rabbits need to consume. The hay and vegetables will help prevent their teeth from overgrowing.

Overgrown teeth will affect the health of the rabbit, also it will harder for them to eat. Always rex should get something to chew on, its better if its through food.

Grooming your rabbit regularly is a good habit. As rabbits do clean themselves, while doing so the hair gets ingested. The hairs get stuck in the intestine, in order to avoid this feed hay and even groom regularly.

Rex rabbits use

Most of the Rex rabbits in the USA are grown as pets and for the meat industry. The meat industry demands the young ones of age 70 to 85 days old. But the plush fur can only develop on rabbits of six months old.

The fur which is obtained from the young ones is used for felt creation, as the fur quality will not be good. The bulk of fur produced in the United States is the by-product of meat production, which will be of lesser quality.

How much is a Rex rabbit?

Usually, Rex rabbits range from $10 to $50. The feed costs per week around $6, it’s not expensive for the feed.