Giant Chinchilla Rabbit (Everything You Need To Know)

The giant chinchilla rabbit begs an obvious question.

Is it a chinchilla or a rabbit? Or a cross between the two?

The answer is simple: it’s a rabbit.

Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the chinchilla.

Apart from the cuteness, of course. And the fact that both make great pets.

What’s the deal with the name then?

Keep reading to find out. We will cover the reason for the name and everything else you need to know about giant chinchilla rabbits.

 

Giant Chinchilla Rabbit

Again, giant chinchilla rabbits are not chinchillas. They are rabbits. They are called chinchilla rabbits because their fur is similar to that of the chinchilla: soft, long, dense, and velvety.

Giant chinchilla rabbits, as the other two words in their name indicate, are large rabbits. They have heavy coats that look “stripy” when you stroke them. These active animals are happiest outdoors, but they also make excellent pets, for a number of reasons.

We will get into how they are as pets and the type of care they need below. First, let’s go over some general information and take a look their characteristics.

 

Origin

The American chinchilla rabbit comes in three sizes: standard, large, and giant. The giant variety is the largest, as you probably guessed.

After World War I, an American breeder (Edward H. Stahl) crossed a Flemish giant rabbit with a smaller chinchilla rabbit to create the giant chinchilla rabbit. The main purpose behind Stahl’s breeding program was to create a rabbit having a lot of meat and thick fur.

 

Lifespan

On average, giant chinchilla rabbits live for 5 to 8 years. This is much shorter than the average lifespan of the chinchilla.

 

Physical Characteristics

The giant chinchilla rabbit stands out for its physical characteristics. We will take a look at the most distinguishing features in turn, beginning with the size.

 

Size

Female giant chinchilla rabbits (called does) weigh between 12 and 16 pounds, whereas males (bucks) weigh between 11 and 15 pounds. If you plan to keep giant chinchilla rabbits as pets, make sure you provide them with a huge enclosure to keep them happy.

 

Fur And Color

Giant chinchilla rabbits have distinct chinchilla coloring with shades like salt pepper (black-white), gray, blue, silver, tan, etc., with ticking patterns. As mentioned before, their fur is velvety soft, dense, and quite long.

 

Ears

Like most rabbit species, giant chinchilla rabbits have long ears and excellent hearing abilities. This also makes them sensitive to the smallest of sounds, so it is important not to place their cage near the TV.

 

Teeth

Chinchilla rabbits have continuously growing teeth. Like chinchillas, they need plenty of hay, grass, and safe wooden blocks to gnaw on all day and wear their teeth down.

 

Legs

The species has strong hind legs, which enable them to jump and climb. They often use their legs to kick out of their handlers’ grasp, so take care to hold your pet firmly so it cannot escape.

 

Habitat

Edward Stahl first created the giant chinchilla rabbit in his Missouri home. Soon other American breeders followed suit, since the demand was high for their fur and flesh.

Today, with the decline in demand for fur and meat, the number of giant chinchilla rabbits has greatly decreased. Most breeders in the UK breed giant chinchilla rabbits for showing. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has even placed the species under watch.

 

Temperament

Giant chinchilla rabbits are playful, active, docile, and generally calm and good-tempered. This makes them excellent pets and easy to handle for beginners.

Some rabbits tend to be more high-strung than others. Most make lovely lap bunnies, although some tend to be more active. Some rabbits may show a greater affinity for humans, while others may show a liking for other animals.

 

Behavior

Giant chinchilla rabbits are highly social animals. They enjoy the company of other rabbits and humans, which makes them great pets. But these rabbits can’t live with chinchillas.

They also follow a hierarchy system and are very communicative. Your giant chinchilla rabbit will let you know what it does and doesn’t like.

They have clear body language and also use a series of vocalizations like squealing, purring, growling, etc. The fact that these animals are social means that you should not house them alone. Make sure to bring your bunny some company. Otherwise, it can get bored or depressed.

Like other rabbits, and the chinchilla species as well, the giant chinchilla rabbit can be skittish, nervous, and easily frightened. After all, it is a prey animal. This is why they need some safe havens in their enclosures in the form of nesting boxes and hideouts to retreat to when they feel threatened.

 

Diet

Like chinchillas, giant chinchilla rabbits need a constant supply of fresh, high-quality hay or grass to chew on (at least 75% of their diet should be hay). This provides them with roughage for digestion and also wears down their sharp teeth.

Your pet will also need 20% (about half a cup of nutrient-rich rabbit pellets per day per 6 pounds of body weight). Provide a small quantity of fresh, raw vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens to your pet as a nice treat.

 

Reproduction

Breeding giant rabbit chinchillas can fetch the breeder a significant amount of money. This is because of their rarity, the demand for their beautiful colors and soft fur, and the fact that they make docile pets.

Like most giant rabbit species, the giant chinchilla rabbit becomes sexually mature at the age of 6 to 9 months and can be bred until the age of 2 to 3 years. They produce large litters and can be rebred 24 hours after giving birth.

 

How Long Are Giant Chinchilla Rabbits Pregnant?

The species has a short gestation period of 28 to 32 days. This means they can have a lot of babies in a short amount of time. Rabbits being baby machines is not just a stereotype.

 

Are Giant Chinchilla Rabbits Rare?

Yes, giant chinchilla rabbits are quite rare. They are only bred for showing since there has been a decline in demand for their fur and meat. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has even placed the species on the endangered list.

 

How Much Does A Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Cost?

Since there are very few breeders breeding giant chinchilla rabbits, and they are very rare and almost extinct, the kits cost a lot of money. Blue-coated giant chinchilla rabbits can fetch almost $400 per kit. Some breeders charge between $50 and $100 for their kits.

 

Do Giant Chinchilla Rabbits Make Good Pets?

Yes, American chinchilla rabbits make excellent pets for the following reasons:

• Friendly and docile: These friendly, mild-mannered animals love being handled by humans.
• Easy to maintain: Chinchilla rabbits are generally easy to maintain once you know the basics of their husbandry and care.
• Hardy: When you purchase your pets from a good breeder (and provide a proper diet, exercise, etc.), these hardy and healthy animals have few health issues and live up to 8 years.
• Versatile: You can house them indoors or outdoors in safe hutches. You can even let your rabbits roam freely in a safe enclosure.
• Entertaining and cute: giant chinchilla rabbits have cute looks and habits, which makes them highly entertaining pets. They are mostly active during the day and sleep at night, which suits most humans.

 

Giant Chinchilla Rabbits: Final Thoughts

The giant chinchilla rabbit needs a new name. It is confusing and makes a lot of people think they are some kind of cross between a chinchilla and a rabbit. But it’s not.

The giant chinchilla rabbit, like all chinchilla rabbits, is simply a type of rabbit. It got its name because its fur resembles the fur of a chinchilla.

If you are considering one as a pet, it is an excellent choice. You just need to make sure you give it a big enough space and that you get at least two of them, because they are very social.