Classification
Order: lagomorpha
Family: leporidae
Genus: brachylagus
Species: brachylagus idahoensis
Habitat
The pygmy rabbit is an endangered species. It is a rare animal that can be found in the north-west of the USA, in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, California, Nevada and Utah. The pygmy rabbit prefers to dig holes under bushes. An ordinary dwelling of this rabbit has several exits: it enables the animal to escape if a danger arises. Pet pygmy rabbits occurred as a result of the selective breeding in Germany, though initially their country of origin is the British Isles. Today a pure-bred pygmy rabbit can be found only in special kennels or at homes.
Outward appearance
The pygmy rabbit is the world’s smallest leporid. An adult specimen weighs from 350 to 500 g and reaches the length of 23-29 cm. It has short ears, relatively small hind legs and lack of white fur on the tail. Wild pygmy rabbits are red-gray, but fancy pygmy rabbits vary in coloration depending on the breed. There are lop pygmy rabbits too. Both wild and domestic pygmy rabbits are nocturnal animals, so they become particularly active at dusk.
Character
The rabbit’s personality changes when it becomes sexually mature. When rabbits are young, they are very playful and active, their attention swaps from one thing to another and it makes the training difficult.
At the age of 4-5 months rabbits become adults. During this period some of them can get aggressive. Starting from this moment, the true personality of a rabbit starts developing. Some of them are very gentle and affectionate, others are grumpy and aggressive. So only if you obtain an adult rabbit you will know what kind of character you will be dealing with. If the rabbit is aggressive, you will have to spray it, it often helps the matter.
Often the rabbit’s personality is influenced by vicinity of other pets (if it lives in a place where loud noises often occur, or close to bad-tempered cats or dogs, the rabbit’s personality might change for the worse). If the rabbit is not properly socialized, it can start avoiding interaction with people and become skittish. Anyway, the rabbit’s personality can be affected by mice treatment and proper care.
Maintenance care
You can keep your pygmy rabbit in a metal or in a plastic cage. Breeders recommend to buy a cage which is closed from all sides, so that the bedding doesn’t fly away when the rabbit runs around. The cage has to be about 30x40 cm.
Pygmy rabbits are quite fragile so they have to stay away from draughts. Keep the cage far from windows, air conditioners and fans. But they shouldn’t get overheated either.
Your rabbit will need a food bowl and a water bottle. Bedding should be thick enough, because pygmy rabbits love digging. Don’t forget to clean the cage regularly and disinfect it. You will have to change the water daily.
Of course, your pygmy rabbit will need some time outside the cage under careful observation. You can take it outdoors too, best to do it in the country, away from cars and dogs.
Feeding
Pygmy rabbits need pretty much the same diet as the common pet rabbits. They need hay, grain, compound feed, commercial dry mixes from pet stores and vegetables (mostly cabbage and carrots), fruit (apples) and fresh clean water. You have to be careful with juicy fruit since they provoke stomach bloat. Don’t forget about your pet’s teeth: they need rough food such as tree branches (birch, apple tree, willow, acacia, linden). And like all other rodents, hares and rabbits they need additional minerals: you can use special mineral blocks.
Features
Pygmy rabbits are prone to obesity. Like all other rabbits, they breed very quickly. They tend to gnaw on furniture and other objects.
Diseases
Nowadays many pet rabbits get sprayed. The opinions regarding the benefits of this procedure vary, but most breeders confirm its positive effect on the animals’ health. But if your pet rabbit is sprayed, it will need special diet and a lot of exercise, since neutered animals are prone to obesity and lethargy. Before taking a decision, consult your vet.
The most common diseases of pet rabbits are stomatitis, rhinitis, myxomatosis, stomach bloat, diarrhea, coccidiosis.
