The biggest rabbit in the world: large breeds and maximum weight of individuals

Rabbits are considered miniature creatures that 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 in terms of mass and size among these animals.

The largest rabbit breeds

Among the existing breeds of rabbits, representatives of the following species are considered to be recognized giants: Flanders and Riesen. The gray and white giant, as well as the Soviet chinchilla, are characterized by no smaller sizes.Large breeds differ from representatives of other species in that they gain mass faster. Young growth by the age of 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, due to which corns appear on their legs. In addition, representatives of the described species later reach sexual maturity.

Flandres

Representatives of the Flanders breed 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 types 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 body, pets stand out due to their large (up to 42 centimeters) chest.

Flanders are characterized by an elongated body, covered with 3.5 cm wool, and wide 19 cm ears. Animals are distinguished by a dense body and developed muscles. Adult females stand out for their fecundity: during the year they bring up to 35 rabbits.

Rizen

Rizen is a huge rabbit, a descendant of Flanders. This type of animal is bred for meat and wool, the length of which reaches four centimeters. Like the progenitor, rizens reach 75 cm in length with a mass of up to 12 kilograms. Among the features of such pets include the presence of massive paws, but a medium-sized head, which looks small against the background of a 42-centimeter chest and 17-centimeter ears.

Representatives of this breed stand out due to the long thick fur, thanks to which the animals quickly adapt to various climatic conditions (including Russian). Due to their large size and massive paws, representatives of this species often suffer from pododermatitis.

Grey giant

The gray giant was bred on the territory of Ukraine by crossing representatives of the Flanders species and non-purebred rabbits. Officially, this variety was included in the relevant 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 valued 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 the breed was developed by Ukrainian breeders, the gray giant is well adapted to Russian climatic conditions. However, such rabbits are taken out for meat less often, since the output is 52-54%.

Soviet chinchilla

Soviet breeders from Novosibirsk and Saratov were engaged in breeding this breed. In the second half of the 20s of the last century, chinchilla rabbits were imported into the USSR. These animals attracted attention due to high-quality and thick fur. However, chinchilla rabbits were not large in size. Therefore, Soviet breeders for several years crossed this breed with a white giant. As a result, after 40 years, the Soviet chinchilla appeared.

The body of pets of this species reaches 65 cm in length with a chest girth of 40 centimeters. The weight of an adult individual does not exceed seven kilograms. The head is characterized by compact dimensions. Erect ears with pointed ends.

Soviet chinchilla attracts breeders with thick and uniform gray-blue fur. These rabbits have a black stripe along their spine.

White Giant

The White Giant is another breed bred by Belgian breeders. The progenitors of this species are albino flanders. Officially, this variety 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 started crossing this breed with the Soviet chinchilla and the gray giant in order to improve the adaptive properties of animals.

Due to the selection, a breed has appeared that has the following characteristics:

thick (20 thousand hairs grow per square centimeter of skin) white fur without spots of other colors;
round croup;
body length - up to 60 centimeters;
bust - 37 centimeters;
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 is why the eyes of animals appear red. Adult females at a time are able to bring up to 7-8 rabbits, whose weight reaches 3.5 kilograms by four months. In addition to its white fur, the white giant is valued for its tasty meat.

Rabbits included in the Guinness Book of Records

The first rabbit to enter 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 large sizes are due to the genes that Darius inherited from the maternal side.

Later this record was broken by another representative of the Flemish breed. Rabbit Ralph gained 25 kilograms. The parents of this animal were also considered champions for a certain period.

How much does the biggest rabbit in the world weigh?

Ralph is considered the heaviest rabbit according to the world's 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 bred in Russia have not yet reached such indicators. The best according to the specified parameters are the descendants of the first Soviet chinchilla, whose weight does not exceed seven kilograms. At the same time, pets of this species gradually increase in size. That is, the indicated weight record of the Soviet chinchilla will be broken over time.