Himalayan Rabbit (“Sophie”)
Oryctolagus cuniculus himalayan

Description:  Himalayan Rabbits are small domestic rabbits that are long and lean in shape.  Their bodies are white in color and are accented with darker-colored ears, noses, tails, and feet.  Himalayans have red eyes and ears that stand up.

Size:  Adult Himalayan Rabbits weigh 3-4 pounds.

Individual animal information:  Sophie was obtained from a rabbit breeder and has been at Cosley Zoo since 2003.  She is frequently used in educational programs.  Some of her education appearances have included going to schools for outreach programs and attending zoo birthday parties.

Adaptations:  As prey animals, rabbits have many adaptations that help them to survive. 

• Their large ears swivel in all directions to pick up any sound. 
• Rabbits’ strong back legs give them the speed necessary to flee from predators. 
• Their feet contain long claws for traction and have fur on the bottom for warmth. 
• Rabbits’ eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads so they can see danger approaching from any direction.

Diet:  Sophie receives rabbit pellets and timothy hay as a staple diet, and fruit, vegetables, and yogurt drops as occasional treats.  Although she eats a variety of other vegetables, she will not eat carrots!

Reproduction:  When a rabbit is pregnant it is said to be “in kindle.” The gestation period lasts 31 days.  The female (doe) gives birth to a litter of baby rabbits (kits or kittens), which are totally blind and hairless until they are 10 days of age. The typical litter size is 6 or 7 but can be as high as 12.  The young rabbits are weaned at 4 weeks of age.  A doe can have as many as 5 litters per year.

Shelter and space needs:  Since she is allergic to dust, Sophie does not live in the barn with the other rabbits.  Instead, she lives in the education office located in the train station.  In the warmer months, she spends her days in a grassy yard, coming indoors at night and in bad weather.  Sophie is provided with plenty of chewing material to help wear down her fast-growing teeth.

Life expectancy:  Domestic rabbits live between 5 and 15 years, with an average life expectancy of 8 years.

Relationship with man:  Himalayan Rabbits are said to have docile temperaments, and can make good pets because they do not often bite or scratch.  Rabbits are also raised for meat and fur.

Fun Facts:

• Rabbits have two rows of upper incisors (the large teeth in the front of the mouth).  The teeth in the second row are called the peg teeth.  These teeth are slightly smaller than the front incisors and lie directly behind them.
• The teeth of a rabbit keep growing for its entire life!  Because of this, rabbits need to be given constant access to chewing material to keep their teeth worn down.
• Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box.
• The tail of a rabbit has a special name.  It’s called a scut. (pronounced “scoot”.)