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Rabbit Age

22 10:36:42

Question
QUESTION: How old is a rabbit when it is full grown?

ANSWER: Hi Tessa,

It depends on the sex and breed of the rabbit.  As a rule of thumb, in our sanctuary we consider any rabbit over 6 months old to be an adult.  But the classification of an adult is the reaching of sexual maturity.  In females, sexual maturity is reached between 3-6 months in most of the breeds but the larger breeds such as English Lops, New Zealands and Flemish don't reach sexual maturity until 6-9 months.  The males reach sexual maturity between 3-8 months depending on size/breed but in reality, we consider any male sexually mature as soon as the testicles descend which is generally about 3 months for most domestics.

Randy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have a female Netherland Dwarf rabbit. She is right now between 8 and 9 months old. Can you tell me how old she would be considered an adult? Thank You.

Answer
She would be considered an adult already.  We normally spay our ND about 6 months old.  The smaller buns mature quickly.  Wild cottontails mature even quicker as they wean a full 4 weeks faster than a domestic.  Some species, like hares, take longer.

Randy