The breeds of the largest rabbits in the world and the weight of individuals from the Guinness Book of Records
Rabbits are considered miniature creatures, which are bred mainly for meat and fur. However, among these representatives of the animal world there are real giants. Moreover, breeders have bred several breeds of the largest rabbits in the world. Representatives of these species regularly set new records for weight and size among these animals.
The largest breeds of rabbits
Among the existing breeds of rabbits, representatives of the following species are considered recognized giants: flanders and rizen. The gray and white giant, as well as the Soviet chinchilla, are also characterized by no smaller sizes. Large breeds differ from representatives of other species in that they gain weight faster. Young animals by four months can weigh more than four kilograms. Therefore, these rabbits are slaughtered for meat and fur at an early age.
Breeding large breeds is associated with certain difficulties. For normal development, such animals require more free space. Large rabbits should not be kept on a mesh floor, which causes corns to appear on their feet. In addition, representatives of the described species later reach sexual maturity.
Flanders
Flandres are considered the largest rabbits. It is these animals that regularly set records for various indicators. Representatives of the Flanders breed became the progenitors of all other species of large rabbits. These animals differ in that with a body length of 75 centimeters, the weight reaches ten kilograms. In addition to the massive torso, pets stand out due to the large (up to 42 centimeters) chest.
Flanders are characterized by an elongated body covered with 3.5 cm hair and wide 19 cm ears. Animals are distinguished by a dense body and developed muscles. Adult females stand out for their fertility: during the year they bring up to 35 rabbits.
Riesen
Riesen is a huge rabbit, a descendant of the Flanders. This type of animal is bred for meat and wool, the length of which reaches four centimeters. Like its progenitor, rizenes reach 75 centimeters in length with a mass reaching 12 kilograms. Among the features of such pets include the presence of massive paws, but an average-sized head, which looks small against the background of a 42-centimeter chest and 17 centimeters ears.
Representatives of this breed stand out due to their long thick fur, thanks to which animals quickly adapt to various climatic conditions (including Russian ones). Due to their large size and massive paws, representatives of this species often suffer from pododermatitis.
Gray giant
The gray giant was bred on the territory of Ukraine by crossing representatives of the flanders species and non-pedigree rabbits. Officially, this variety was included in the corresponding reference books in the 50s of the last century. The bred breed is distinguished by an elongated torso, reaching 60 centimeters, and a wide back. This variety is prized for its fleshy croup and massive chest. Outwardly, due to the color of the coat, the gray giant resembles wild hares. The total weight does not exceed four kilograms.
Due to the fact that Ukrainian breeders were engaged in breeding the breed, the gray giant is well adapted to Russian climatic conditions. However, such rabbits are bred for meat less often, since the production is 52-54%.
Soviet chinchilla
The breeding of this breed was carried out by Soviet breeders from Novosibirsk and Saratov. In the second half of the 20s of the last century, chinchilla rabbits were imported into the USSR. These animals have attracted attention due to their high-quality and thick fur. However, chinchilla rabbits were not large in size. Therefore, Soviet breeders crossed this breed with a white giant for several years. As a result, after 40 years, the Soviet chinchilla appeared.
The body of pets of this species reaches 65 centimeters in length with a chest girth equal to 40 centimeters. The weight of an adult does not exceed seven kilograms. The head is compact in size. The ears are erect, with pointed ends.
The Soviet chinchilla attracts the breeder with its thick and uniform fur of a gray-blue color. These rabbits have a black stripe along the ridge.
White giant
The White Giant is another breed developed by Belgian breeders. Albino flanders are considered the progenitors of this species. Officially, this type of pets was bred in the 20s of the last century. In the same period, the white giant was brought to the territory of the USSR, but the local climate did not suit the rabbits.
Therefore, local breeders began crossing this breed with the Soviet chinchilla and the gray giant in order to improve the adaptive properties of animals.
Thanks to the selection carried out, a breed emerged with the following characteristics:
- thick (20 thousand hairs grow on a square centimeter of skin) white fur without spots of other colors;
- rounded croup;
- body length - up to 60 centimeters;
- chest girth - 37 centimeters;
- the weight of an adult is 4-6 kilograms;
- long (up to 16 centimeters) erect ears;
- strong body with a straight back.
Among the features of the white giant include the lack of pigmentation in the iris, which makes the eyes of animals appear red. Adult females are capable of bearing up to 7-8 rabbits at a time, the weight of which reaches 3.5 kilograms by four months. Besides the white fur, the white giant is prized for its delicious meat.
Rabbits included in the Guinness Book of Records
The first rabbit to be included in the Guinness Book of Records was a representative of the Flanders breed named Darius. The maximum weight of this animal reached 22.2 kilograms, and the body length was 1.3 meters. Such a large size is due to genes that Darius inherited through the maternal line.
Later this record was broken by another representative of the Flanders breed. Rabbit Ralph gained weight 25 kilograms. The parents of this animal were also considered champions for a certain period.
How much does the largest rabbit in the world weigh?
Ralph is considered the heaviest rabbit in the world, according to published measurements. As mentioned above, the maximum weight of this animal reached 25 kilograms. This record has not yet been broken by other rabbits. Before Ralph, Darius was considered the largest.
Pets, which are bred in Russia, have not yet reached such indicators. The best according to these parameters are the descendants of the first Soviet chinchilla, whose weight does not exceed seven kilograms. In this case, pets of this type are gradually increasing in size. That is, the specified weight record for the Soviet chinchilla will eventually be broken.
