Learn more about the Mini Rex Rabbit Breed. Discover cool facts, pictures, resources and find information about caring for Mini Rex Rabbits.
This rabbit breed information page is part of our rabbit breeds article series.
Table of Contents:
- Breed Info
- History
- Facts
- Breed Varieties and Colors
- Weight and Size
- Lifespan
- Caring for Pets
- Breed Resources
- Buying
- Price
- Locating a Breeder
Mini Rex Rabbit Breed Info
Recognized colors: Black, blue, broken, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, Himalayan, lilac, opal, otter, red, silver marten, sable point, seal, tortoise, white (ruby-eyed), blue-eyed white.
Size: 3-4.5 pounds
National Specialty Club:
nmrrc.net
Mini Rex Rabbit Breed Photo Credit:
Michelle Ewing
Mini Rex Rabbit Information and History
The Mini Rex rabbit is a miniaturized version of the original Rex that weighs more than 10 pounds. It grows a short coat of fur with a texture like velvet and generally remains below 5 pounds in weight. These rabbits come in a range of colors from white to pure black albino.
Characterized by their luxurious, velvety fur, Mini Rex bunnies are popular both as pets and show rabbits. When you buy your first Mini Rex, ask the breeder or an animal shop employee about the type of food the rabbit has been eating. Rabbits are sensitive to dietary changes. New foods should be introduced gradually to avoid disturbing their digestive system.
Weighing between three and four pounds, these animals do not have any kind of protective fur on their pads. For this reason, they can develop foot problems if they become overweight. The right diet will help your Mini Rex maintain an ideal weight.
The most important component of the diet is hay. Ideally, it should make up 75 percent or more of your rabbit’s diet. Chewing hay contributes to good dental health and fiber is needed for your rabbit’s digestive tract.
History
This breed of rabbits originated in Texas in the early 1980s thanks to the efforts of Monna Berryhill. The original Rex breed was first discovered in the 1900s in France. The breed’s mutation is known to cause the animal’s hair to grow outwards from the body.
Interesting Facts about the Breed
These amazing animals are known for their soft coats. If you breed your Mini Rex, a pedigree may not be a priority. Pedigrees can be created by the breeder and printed on a computer. However, if the breeder is a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), the rabbit should be registered and given a formal pedigree. Without the record, there is no evidence of the rabbit’s genealogy and family history, which is a problem for breeding and shows.
When it comes to eating habits, rabbits tend to over-indulge although commercial pellets are healthy. While rabbits can consume unlimited pellets, once they reach the age of seven months you must begin to restrict the consumption. Experts recommend two to four cups daily for a six pounds adult rabbit.
You must feed your pet slightly less than this amount. Choose pellets that have more than 18 percent fiber. Ideally, the granules should contain between 20 and 25 percent fiber.
Breed Varieties and Colors
Mini Rex rabbits have the same velvety soft fur as their big Rex cousins but weigh less. According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are 17 recognized varieties of Mini Rex rabbits.
Several types of Mini Rexes have solid colors, which means that their entire body is covered in a single color without shading or rogue hairs. Recognized varieties are black, blue, chocolate, lilac and white. White Mini Rexes can be either pure white with blue eyes or white with pink-brown eyes.
Any rabbit that is a mixture of white and another color, usually brown or black falls into a special category, with the exception of the Himalayas. These bunnies usually have colored spots on the back, ears, sides and face interrupted by shades of white. The color should cover 10 to 50 percent of the rabbit’s body.
The Himalayan variety has a white body while the ears, feet, tail and nose can be black or dark blue. The eyes are usually pink. On the other hand, Agouti refers to fur patterns that blend together. There are four recognized variations: castor (brown with black tip and creamy tan), chinchilla (a mix of pearls and black tipped with black and pearl white), lynx (fawn-colored coat tilted from lilac and white) and opal (a mixture of blue and white or medium tan cream).
The otter variety can have a blue, black, chocolate and lilac color. The majority of the rabbit’s body has a solid color while the belly, nostrils, eye circles, cheeks, the underside of the tail, inner ears and bottom of the feet are cream-colored.
Some varieties have a cream-colored body with a sepia brown shading on the nose, ears, feet, legs and tail. The joint variation has dark sepia brown color over most of the body with lighter brown shading on her flanks, chest and belly. The turtle variety has a rusty red-orange body with gray transitions on the flanks, head, belly, feet and the front of the head. The eyes are brown.
Weight and Size
When it comes to weight, adult males (six months and older) typically weigh between three and four pounds. Although some male rabbits can weigh up to four and a half pounds, the ideal weight is four pounds. For adult females, the weight range is three and quarter pounds to four and a half pounds. The Mini Rex rabbit has a compact body and it is popular with people with allergies to pet hair or who have asthma.
Lifespan
This rabbit species is very sensitive to cold environments due to its short fur. It needs to be in touch with people and loves them. It has a lifespan of between 8 and 10 years.
Litter size
This loving little bunny loves attention, especially when handled for a moment. If you care for Mini Rex bunnies, it is important to take care of their essential needs so that they grow up to become healthy and social adult rabbits. The average litter size for this breed hovers between 2 and 4 bunnies.
Caring for pet Mini Rex
To minimize stress, ensure that the cage or hutch is properly configured with soft bedding. Provide access to food and water, including hay and fresh vegetables. Put the rabbit away in its new cage and leave it alone for at least two to three hours to get used to its new environment. Small animals can be stressed easily and your new rabbit will need time to become comfortable.
Provide fresh vegetables daily and experiment with different vegetables to understand the rabbit’s preferences. Carrots, romaine lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and bok choy are popular choices. Rabbits should always have access to fresh water preferably through a bottle to avoid contamination of food or bedding.
Provide fresh hay daily, remove the old hay every day. There are different types of hay, but rabbits usually prefer a mixture of timothy, alfalfa and orchardgrass. Use a hay distributor to keep the hay on the floor of the cage to avoid contamination.
Change any bedding or litter box in the cage regularly. The frequency required will depend on how many rabbits live in the cage, the size of the cage and whether or not the rabbits are using the same litter box. These animals can be trained litter, which will reduce the need to change any bedding in the cage.
Cut your rabbit’s nails at least once a month or as needed. Long nails can pose threats in cages with wire bottoms or on the sides as small feet can get stuck easily. Brushing may be necessary to remove loose hairs for the comfort of the rabbit.
Like all other rabbits, the Mini Rex requires regular grooming to keep its coat in excellent condition. Brush your pet weekly with a soft grooming brush, starting from the head and working in the direction of the hair. Avoid sensitive areas such as eyes, ears and spine. Use your fingers to slide on all the loose hair. Rabbits shed every three months, and although mini rabbits lose their coats gradually, you can still see loose tufts of hair around the hind legs and stomach.
Breed Resources
Some of the top shows, clubs and organizations include:
– Wilson County Fair
– The National Pet Show
– National Rex Rabbit Club
– American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA)
– National Rex Rabbit Club
– National Mini Rex Rabbit Club
Buying a Mini Rex
A number of online and offline outlets sell Mini Rex rabbits. Alternatively, you can contact private breeders via clubs and organizations.
Mini Rex Price
Mini Rexes are usually sold for between $20 and $100. Animals with unusual colors and distinct markings can fetch higher prices.
Locating a Mini Rex Rabbit Breeder
To locate breeders around the country, visit RabbitBreeders.us.
References:
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Rex-Rabbits
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Rex
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