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Silver Marten Rabbit

Family: Leporidae

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"Sugar Bear" - Blue Female Oryctolagus cuniculus Photo Courtesy: Southern Hares Rabbitry

   The Silver Marten rabbits, though often raised for showing, also make very loveable and charming pet bunnies!

   The Silver Marten rabbit is a very hardy medium sized rabbit. They grow to be between 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 pounds and have an elegant grace. Their most striking characteristic is their beautiful soft fur. The coat of an adult has a polished look with beautifully appointed markings. The Black Silver Marten, which is the most common color seen at shows, has a wonderful contrast between its polished black coat and the silver white markings of its ears and underbelly.

   These bunnies make great pets, though they may be a bit more timid than some of the large breed rabbits. They are playful and love to romp around. They also like toys that they can toss about in their cage.

   At five weeks old, the Silver Marten babies shown on the right have fur that is soft and fuzzy. They have big ears too, that seem to be almost as big as their bodies!

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

Description:
   These guys are considered to be a medium breed rabbit, so they do grow up to be fair sized. They will weigh between 6.5 to 8.5 lbs. when full grown.
   These rabbits are primarily raised for showing, though they also make good pets. The fur on the Silver Marten is one of its most striking features with a beautiful polished look to it. Silver Martens display an elegant graceful beauty because of their impressive colorations and markings.

Color differences:
   Color varieties include black, blue, chocolate, or sable; with silver-tipped guard hairs and silver white markings to the eyes, mouth, chin and under parts.
   The Black Silver Martens are the most common at shows and have a stunning contrast between their black and silver white fur.

Silver Marten Color Varieties
"Jewett's Mocha" - Chocolate Female	"Burant's Tatonka" - Black Male
Photos courtesy: Southern Hares Rabbitry

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Latest Comments
I have had many rabbits in the past. I've had a dutch, new Zealand, 2 mini lops, and I currently have a checkered giant which is my favorite. I have had her since she was 6 weeks old and she is now a year. I'm planning on showing a rabbit, but I have no clue what kind I want to show. Carlie 2009-10-14
We have a Silver Marten / Lop and the mix is just adorable. Peanut is his name and he is just the most affectionate rabbit I've ever had. He is very sweet. When we rescued him, he was a biter, but we read up on how to stop that and he would never bite a sole now. He had all that love inside just waiting to come out. Rabbits want to trust us so much and just need to have the chance! Yeah to my little Peanut! Al 2009-09-30
I have a silver marten called Lightning. He is my first rabbit and is so sweet. I let him out every morning and evening in our back garden and he runs around. When he has enough he just comes back to me and 'asks' me to let him back into his hutch. He is also really friendly and LOVES people. When I entered him in a pet fashion show he went straight to the judges and sat right next to them! Pooja 2009-06-25
I have a Silver Marten Buck named Mister Bun-Bun. He was a rescue rabbit that I got from a friend. He was always scared and skittish. He has a very large cage that is three stories and he loves it. He has a large nest box that I cram with Oat Hay and he makes a nice warm nest. I'm in Cali, so it doesn't get too cold here. If it gets too cold I will bring him inside. I have a cat sized crate with a blanket in it and he doesn't like to be held or picked up so I just put it at the door to his cage and he hops in because he knows he will go inside for the night. In the morning I let him back out. He never goes potty in his crate. If I am home and in my office I will open his cage and he runs all over my yard. When it's time to go back I tell him, "Bun-Bun !!! Go Home !! And he hops right up there and then I give him a Teddy Graham for being good. He is quite spoiled .... but I think he loves his life. He loves Kale. debbie 2008-12-02
I have a Silver Martin who is about 2 years old now. Her name is Angie and she is such a sweetheart. When I first got her she bit me, but I didn't mind. Now she's an angel. We let her out of her cage and she hops out and hops on the couch to watch tv. I don't know what I would do without my angle. She was named after my aunt who died, so I know she's an angel. She also like SNOW! Believe it or not she loves it. She doesn't really like my other rabbit, thumper. They fight so they have to have different cages. But anyways, they are wonderful. Jackie 2008-09-06
Some of the coolest comments:
These rabbits make great pets, I have had my guy now for 12 years. He has fathered many cute bunnies in his life, 54 to be exact. He was the first rabbit I had and I got him when I was only 3, I was the second owner but the first owner did not know how old he was when i got him. He is quite old now but i still love him and he has never had one thing wrong with him in his life, the only vet visits are his yearly check-ups. I know that he is not long for this world now but his legacy will live on in me and in his children. Ryan 2004-06-26

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