six8chv, Flickr
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Posts tagged "rabbits"
Congratulations to our submitter, six8chv. If you'd like to submit your pet, upload your favorite pet photos to our Flickr pool!
We probably don't need to tell you that 2010 marks the 100-year anniversary of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. And what better way to celebrate than by watching the brand-spanking-new, hot-off-the-presses official trailer for "Rabbit Fever." This fascinating, educational, and often hilarious documentary follows some of the competitors at the National American Rabbit Convention, which is sort of like the Westminster Dog Show, but of course, for rabbits. (Check out our interview with "Rabbit Fever" filmmaker Amy Do to learn more about this "hare-raising" documentary.)
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Mike Walker, M&Y News Agency
Ralph, a Continental Giant rabbit, eats about $15 worth of food a day, says his owner Pauline Grant. The bunny consumes Weetabix cereal, crackers, apples, carrots, cabbages, toast, sweetcorn and huge bowls of rabbit food. Grant told the U.K's Sky News that she's still awaiting official confirmation of his stats, but she's hoping he will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
If his size is confirmed at 42 pounds and 4 feet in length, he'll knock his own mother out of the record books. According to the folks at Guinness, Ralph's dam, Amy, was listed in 2008 as the world's longest rabbit" at 2 feet, 8 inches.
Known for being a larger breed than most, Continental Giants typically weigh between 12 and 16 pounds. The minimum length of a show rabbit is 25.5 inches.
As long as Ralph continues with his voracious appetite, Grant says she'll keep feeding him. How long do you think this record will last?
Flickr/wwarby
Rabbits are active, playful, gentle and social animals who live anywhere from five to 15 years, depending on the breed. Common small breeds include Dutch, Holland lop, mini lop, Netherlands dwarf, and Polish. They bond quickly to their owners, and can be wildly entertaining to watch. They like being near their people, but not all breeds enjoy being held.
Rabbit Grooming and Care
A rabbit is not the most low-maintenance small pet you can choose, as they require a good deal of room. A large cage is a start, but you might find it difficult for them to get proper exercise within the cage. Unlike many other small pets, rabbits do require veterinary care. At the very least, they should be spayed or neutered, and your area might require vaccinations. Short-haired rabbits should be brushed at least once a week, more when shedding. Longer-haired versions, like the Angora, require daily brushing. Spot cleaning is preferable to baths, which can be stressful for both the rabbit and owner. Rabbit's nails should be trimmed on occasion.
Did you know there are 30,000 members of the 100-year-old American Rabbit Breeders Association? If not, then you probably didn't know there's an entire show circuit that's a mix between a children's beauty pageant and the Westminster Dog Show.
Filmmaker Amy Do's documentary "Rabbit Fever" (which was previewed at the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival this past Sunday) follows some of the competitors at the National American Rabbit Convention. The event draws more than 20,000 rabbits -- the largest gathering of bunnies in the world. When we heard about the film, we were all ears. Do answered some questions for Paw Nation.
How did you learn about the National Rabbit Convention?
When I was a child, I developed a very close bond with my pet Dutch rabbit, Thumper. He would run to my feet when I got home from school and follow me around all day like a loyal puppy. It was very cute. Years later, after Thumper passed away, I moved to Los Angeles for film school (USC) and missed having a rabbit around. That's when I decided to adopt a Dwarf Hotot rabbit.
When I picked up my new Dwarf Hotot from a breeder at a local rabbit show in Southern California, I was amazed with the rich world that I discovered there! I saw competitors milling around with beautiful, exotic-looking rabbits clutched in their arms -- a lot of the breeds you normally don't see in pet shops, especially the long-haired Angora varieties. One of the breeders told me that if I was impressed with just a local show, then I should check out the annual National ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) Convention, an event that draws more than 20,000 rabbits under one roof. It's equivalent to the grandeur of the Westminster Dog Show, but with a lot more fur.
Filmmaker Amy Do's documentary "Rabbit Fever" (which was previewed at the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival this past Sunday) follows some of the competitors at the National American Rabbit Convention. The event draws more than 20,000 rabbits -- the largest gathering of bunnies in the world. When we heard about the film, we were all ears. Do answered some questions for Paw Nation.
How did you learn about the National Rabbit Convention?
When I was a child, I developed a very close bond with my pet Dutch rabbit, Thumper. He would run to my feet when I got home from school and follow me around all day like a loyal puppy. It was very cute. Years later, after Thumper passed away, I moved to Los Angeles for film school (USC) and missed having a rabbit around. That's when I decided to adopt a Dwarf Hotot rabbit.
When I picked up my new Dwarf Hotot from a breeder at a local rabbit show in Southern California, I was amazed with the rich world that I discovered there! I saw competitors milling around with beautiful, exotic-looking rabbits clutched in their arms -- a lot of the breeds you normally don't see in pet shops, especially the long-haired Angora varieties. One of the breeders told me that if I was impressed with just a local show, then I should check out the annual National ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) Convention, an event that draws more than 20,000 rabbits under one roof. It's equivalent to the grandeur of the Westminster Dog Show, but with a lot more fur.
Ever since the first magician pulled a rabbit out of his hat, bunnies have held a magical appeal. When they walk around like humans though, you wonder who's actually pulling off the magic trick. Looks like Faith has some competition.
There is a long-held superstition that if you wake up on the first day of the new month and say "Rabbit, rabbit," you'll have good luck for the remainder of the month.
If you're not so quick with a calendar, it's probably best to get into a daily habit of celebrating the rabbit. Fortunately for you, there are multiple Daily Bunny websites out there to help you get your luck on (and coo over cottontails).
Daily Bunny is a round-up of all things bunny, from photos and videos to art and live cams, complemented with lite commentary ("What's this? Noms? No... must be toy... maybe... Yeah is toy.")
If you prefer your rabbits with a little less cheek (figuratively, not furrily), opt for the more straightforward Tumblr-powered Daily Bunny: Every day, a new large, vibrant photograph of an adorable bunny; no narration, no distraction.
Whichever daily dose of rabbit you prefer, your good mood (and good fortune) is bound to jump.
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