Animal-World > Small Animal Pets > Pet Rabbits > New Zealand Rabbits

New Zealand Rabbit

Family: LeporidaeOryctolagus cuniculusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   You can't help falling in love with a New Zealand rabbit, especially when it gently nudges you, wanting a petting on its soft snowy white fur!

   The New Zealand babies in the picture above are just about 7 weeks old and are only about 2.2 pounds each. They are just as sweet and cuddly as any rabbit can be. They are munching on a green apple while they pose to have their pictures taken!

New Zealand Rabbit "Bob" Photo Courtesy: Kim "I'm the proudest mum ever!" ...Kim

   The New Zealand is a wonderful rabbit and makes a great beginner bunny. They are quite social and outgoing, and enjoy being part of the family. They like everybody and most household pets, and they are not biters.

   One of their greatest features is that they usually love to be handled. Pick them up, set them down, or hold them in your lap! They are often likened to "big rag dolls" because they flop down kind of like a rag doll, accommodating any cuddly manner in which you wish to hold them. They can even be carried across your shoulder!

   As with all good sized rabbits, the New Zealand will need a bigger area to move around in. They need regular excercise as they can gain weight easily. Keep treats to a minimum., even though your pet will beg you for them. The babies in our picture above will soon outgrow the cage we have them in!

For more information about Rabbits and their care:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit

Background:    The New Zealand rabbit was first a red variety and became known in the United States about 1912. It is thought to be a cross between a Belgian Hare and a white rabbit. The white variety came about from cross breeding among several breeds such as the Flemish, American Whites, and Angoras. A black variety was also developed from various crossings which include the Giant Chinchilla.

   Historically thought of as a utility or working rabbit, the New Zealand rabbit has been selected for hundreds and hundreds of generations by people who work with rabbits. This is because they have good outgoing personalities and are easy to work with. They don't tend to bite or struggle and they don't get sick or have health problems nearly as often as other breeds.

Description:    A medium sized rabbit, the New Zealand adult will get up to 11 pounds.

Color differences:    As you can see in the picture above, the New Zealand rabbits are generally pure white rabbits with red eyes and pinkish coloring in their ears, but they can also be brick red or black.

Lastest Comments on New Zealand Rabbits View all 108 comments on New Zealand Rabbits Add Your Comment

Grace - 2006-06-07 I got my new zealand, Chanel, 4 months ago. She is young and I saved her life, her former owner used to beat her for no reason. It was said to be that he was crazy. When I found her she had cuts and wounds all over her, her fur was coming loose, she was also blind in one eye, and she was in really bad shape. She was poorly fed and so skinny you could see her bones stick out. She was also very scared of people, thinking that they would beat her too. When they found her not only she was beaten but so were others. all around her former home there were dead rabbits all over who were also beaten. Justice is now served and the former owner was arested for animal cruelty. The vet said that she was so close to dying. I'm so grateful to have her. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-11 I am glad you found each other. Carole lyons - 2012-05-23 I bought an old girl bunny at auction,and I love her. She is a new zealand and was so frightened he trembled. I couldnt wait to get her home to settle down away from all the noise . I was worried she might have a heart attack,but she is ok Reply

Karen - 2006-09-30 At first I was like most people and wanted a dwarf or a lop rabbit, not a "plain white rabbit". However, I wanted a gentle, easy-going compaion rabbit for my hyper English Spot, and personality wise, a New Zealand at the local shelter fit the bill. I have grown to love her and now I want more NZ's!! My bun is gentle and easy going, big and cuddly and I have come to really appreciate her white fur and red eyes. Please don't pass up the chance to adopt one of these wonderful buns if you get the chance! Pankaj - 2012-05-09 Many pet stores such as PetCo, PetSmart and even ipndnendeet stores will carry Timothy hay. Ask where it is if you don't see it right away sometimes they have it hidden. If you can not find any today look for hay pellets (often mixed with dehydrated carrot chips) this will substitute for the Hartz garbage until the hay arrives. My Weber totally threw a major tantrum when I switched to hay and stopped giving him the hay pellets like feeding a kid cheetohs and cake, then deciding that they must now eat brussel sprouts. After a day or two, he got over his displeasure and still ate the the hay. Throw the grocery store food stuff in the trash. It will kill your rabbit. Pet food is best bought at pet stores. +2Was this answer helpful? Reply

Leila Peters - 2011-07-29 Thank you Charlie, you are so right! It is also very sad to see people keep rabbits in a small cage. I think it is inhumane. Although Fluffy's got a hutch when I first got him I tried to put him in for the night, he just stood there on his hind legs against the cage. For me it was too much! No way was I going to keep him in against his will - and he preferred the garage. It is wonderful to see him amongst the green grass outside. His favourite is boiled spaghetti and potato! Charlie Roche - 2011-07-29 I am not one for CAGE - I have safe places for things - especially late at night or if I am not home. But even then - I can put my husband easily into my birds 8 foot cage. I have seen really neat rabbit areas where the Cage is like 2 feet wide by 3 feet high and 6 - 8 feet long, Screened fron and off the ground and then the bunny has stairs to com eout and there is a large safe enclosure around that. So bunny can go in and out his cage - which has toys and litter. Second litter also in the enclosure. So easy to clean, easy for bunny to get in and out and easy for human to pick up and play - or big enough for human to go in. alexis - 2011-08-14 Um that's very good ya. jamie - 2012-02-24 Be careful letting your rabbit eat grass. They are really prone to parasites and worms. Both of which can make your bunny very sick. It is also not a good idea to feed your rabbit speghetti and potato. In a book I bought about raising rabbits you should only feed a high quality pellet, alfalfa that is cured properly to prevent a parasite and some greens. But if you feed to much green it will cause some gi upset which can be the death of your bunny. never feed greens prior to 5 months of age. These critters are not the same as the wild ones. Reply

Leila Peters - 2011-07-30 Well said, Charlie, you are absolutely right. Bottom line is bunny should have enough space to run and safe place to sleep. I wish many rabbit owners would do the same. To avoid any territorial behaviour as I have a house rabbit I left it as just one, instead of two. Reply

Mariah - 2011-08-18 Help! I've got a nz male rabbit who is just barely three months old and has taken to spraying! It is marking its territory in the house too so I have not allowed him inside ever since! He is the only rabbit. I never knew a rabbit could mature so quickly. Does anyone have this problem or any solutions/suggestions please, as I do not want to get rid of him. Charlie Roche - 2011-08-19 A male rabbit is going to spray unless you have him neutered. Better for the rabbit to have him neutered if he is to be a pet. They live longer too. Anita Jensen - 2012-01-26 Get him fixed. My New Zeland did the same around 3 months of age. I got him fixed at a local Vet (it was hard to find a Vet that would fix a bunny in my area and do it for a reasonable price, so I suggest you call around to get all the pricing information you can! At least males are cheaper to fix, anywhere!) I paid $57 for the procedure. I dropped him off at 8am and he was ready to come home by 12:30pm, so it is a fairy quick and easy process. My bunny, Bun-Bun, is now 10 months old and has totally stopped spraying. Bun-Bun is an indoor bunny with free rain to the entire house all day long, although we cage him at night time (so he wont eat all our cords and molding). We also have 3 indoor cats. My Vet told me that my bunny probably began to spray because of the cats. So, if you have other animals or are around other animals where your bunny can smell them on you that might be what started the problem. Rabbits are fully grown at 12 weeks (3 months) of age though, so this really isnt all that early. Amanda - 2012-05-08 Hello ..Thank you for sharing surepb informations. Your website is so cool. I'm impressed by the details that you've on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, Reply

Bunny Lover - 2011-05-09 Guess what! I litter trained my new zealand white, Fuzz! I am so happy! Clarice Brough - 2011-05-09 That is so cool! Makes life great for both of you, congratulations. Leila - 2011-05-27 Thats great! I've just got my 4 week old rabbit and am busy training it to use the box by putting him in regularly. Any tips how you did it? LUVURBUNS - 2011-07-11 @leila Look at the top comment and read my reply. Bunny Lover - 2011-08-27 Sad to say,my bun Fuzz is now in heaven. :( But I can tell you how I litter trained her: I put the box where she did her business:) and she eventually learned to go in the box! Rest in Peace, Fuzz Mariah - 2011-08-27 Its so sad to hear of dear Fuzz...I hope you do get another one and also enjoy her as much! My potty-trained bunny has taken to spraying in the house and with sadness I say that I have to banish him outside. Rest in peace, Fuzz... Reply

Add your comment!

View all 108 comments on New Zealand Rabbits

Back to Pet Rabbits