American rabbit
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| American rabbit | ||||||||||||||
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| Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The American rabbit is a variety of rabbit, recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) as the German Blue Vienna in 1918. It was renamed to American Blue Rabbit shortly after because of the first world war. American rabbits have an ideal mandolin body and a deep blue colour.
The American rabbit was introduced by Lewis H. Salisbury, who did not disclose what breeds were used to come to this variety. The body shape suggests that it may well have been bred from blue Vienna, Beveren, Imperial and Flemish Giants.
A white variety named American white rabbit was recognised in 1925. It was developed by selecting rabbits with white spots, and adding in white flemish giants in the bloodline.
American rabbits were popular animals up until the 1950's, kept for their fur and meat. They are now the rarest variety of rabbit in America. American rabbits weigh between 4 and 5½ kilograms (9–12 lb).
[edit] References
- American Rabbit. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
- The American Rabbit. Slow Food USA.
