American fawn lop rabbit

American fawn lop rabbit, commonly known as the American breed fawn lop rabbit, is a pet rabbit. The standard weight is 3.5-4 pounds, making it one of the smaller rabbit breeds. It has a small body size, black eyes, round head, short neck, flat face, long ears that hang down. The fur of adult rabbits becomes thick, generally reaching a length of 3.8-5cm, with less softness compared to baby rabbits. There are 19 recognized colors, such as black, blue, white fur with blue eyes, white fur with red eyes, chocolate, light purple, milky white, etc. American fawn lop rabbits have a quiet and timid personality. Rabbits are nocturnal animals, so their feeding time is in the early morning and evening. Therefore, owners should not think that they have no appetite during the day.

Chinese Name: 美国长毛垂耳兔

Common Names: American breed fawn lop rabbit

English Name: American Lop

Origin: United States

Reproduction Method: Viviparous

Habits: Similar to other rabbits. Quiet and timid, they are nocturnal animals and their main feeding time is in the early morning and evening. Therefore, owners should not think that they have no appetite during the day.

Size, Weight, and Fur Color: 1.6-1.8kg. It has a small body size, black eyes, round head, short neck, flat face, long ears that hang down. The fur of adult rabbits becomes thick, generally reaching a length of 3.6-5cm, with less softness compared to baby rabbits. There are 19 recognized colors, such as black, blue, white fur with blue eyes, white fur with red eyes, chocolate, light purple, milky white, etc.

Diet: Herbivorous.

Flop-eared rabbits were discovered in the 1970s and were only recognized as new breeds in the 1980 American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) exhibition. These breeds of rabbits have drooping ears and can be classified into short-haired, medium-haired, and long-haired varieties, with differences in facial features. Adult weight is around 2.5kg with a body length of approximately 40cm. Each individual varies in size, coat color, and body length. There are various flop-eared rabbits in Europe, and "flop-eared rabbit" is their general term.

The American Fawn Lop Rabbit is reportedly developed by Mr. Adrian DeCock from the Netherlands. In 1949, he attempted to breed a smaller version of the American Fawn Lop Rabbit by crossing offspring of Mini Rex rabbits and American Fawn Lop rabbits, which resulted in its birth, making it much younger than the American Fawn Lop Rabbit.

The lop rabbit is the most popular pet rabbit breed nowadays. Unlike other rabbits, the ears of the lop rabbit droop downwards, and its body size is not very large. It has a gentle temperament and can live harmoniously with humans. The only drawback is its short lifespan, which is generally 7-8 years.

1. White ringworm

This is a skin disease caused by fungi in the American fawn lop rabbit, characterized by the appearance of dandruff and hair loss on the skin. If not treated in a timely manner, it often leads to secondary bacterial infections, resulting in itching and redness. Due to the local scratching of the American fawn lop rabbit, wet crusts may appear. This phenomenon can be treated with antifungal drugs.

2. Ear mites

This is a disease caused by mites that are almost invisible to the naked eye and parasitize the ear canal and ear flaps of the American fawn lop rabbit. In severe cases, there may even be clumps of secretions that block the ear canal. When the American fawn lop rabbit has severe itching, to avoid being scratched during treatment, a small amount of sedative can be fed first, and then a medication to remove the mites can be topically applied for treatment. Of course, the best method is to seek medical treatment and let a veterinarian treat them.

The main food is hay and clean water, followed by rabbit food (including vegetables, cereals, vitamins, and minerals) and fresh vegetables. Among them, both Alfalfa Hay and Timothy Hay have high fiber and low protein, which can reduce hairball production and help prevent intestinal blockage, especially suitable for long-haired rabbits to eat.

The cage of the American fawn lop rabbit must be large enough and placed in a comfortable and quiet place without disturbance. The temperature must be maintained between 18-24 degrees Celsius and must not exceed 28 degrees Celsius. The American fawn lop rabbit should not be placed in a place directly exposed to sunlight or drafts, such as air conditioning vents or windows, because high temperatures or strong winds can affect their health, leading to infertility at the least and even death in severe cases.

First, purchase a suitable cage that allows the rabbit to stand up. Provide ample food, feeding the rabbit three times a day with feed such as grass and rabbit pellets. Additionally, give them one piece of pineapple daily. Brush the rabbit's fur once a day to help with shedding and prevent hairballs. Trim their nails monthly to avoid overgrowth, and long-haired breeds may need a trim every two to three months to prevent excessive thickness of fur and difficulty with heat dissipation.

Since rabbits groom themselves, there is no need to bathe them unless necessary. The American fawn lop rabbit is relatively easy to care for. Due to its small size, it does not require a large living space, and the owner can allow them to spend more time outside the cage. This not only increases their exercise but also reduces their stress. However, it is crucial to be cautious of their delicate body size as they can easily get into dangerous situations in small gaps in the environment.