The Hotot white rabbit or Hotot rabbit is a cute little rabbit that is characterized by having a white fur. It has black markings that color the area around its large and expressive eyes. But the Hotot rabbit not only stands out for its appearance, because its character is also very good. It is a kind, affectionate and very calm rabbit that loves the company and attention of its family and loves to share with them.
Origin of the Hotot Rabbit
The Hotot rabbit breed owes its name to the place where it was created, Hotot-en-Auge ( Normandy – France ). Its creator was Eugenie Bernhard, a renowned rabbit breeder. It shares genetics with breeds such as the butterfly rabbit, the Flemish giant or the Vienna white rabbit. The first litter had its origin in 1902.
This new breed quickly became popular. It was exported to other countries in Europe until it reached countries such as the United States of America in 1920. Actually, in America it did not get much popularity, so it practically disappeared, and in Europe it suffered the ravages caused by the Second World War. However, the breed resurfaced from its ashes, returning to the stage in the 1960s and 1970s, somewhat later in the United States. Currently, it is recognized by the main cynological organizations. However, it is classified as threatened due to a high risk of disappearance to which the Hotot breed is subjected. It is estimated that there are currently only 1,000 specimens of these rabbits worldwide.
Characteristics of the White Hotot rabbit
The most palpable characteristic of this breed of rabbits is its peculiar black spots that surround its eyes and that give a very particular touch to its white head. These spots can measure between 3 and 6 millimeters. Being a characteristic that shows its kinship with the English spot or butterfly rabbit.
It is a small- sized rabbit , the females tend to be around 3.6-4.5 kilograms, while the somewhat larger males range between 4.1 and 5 kilograms of body weight. Their life expectancy is really long, since it is between 12 and 14 years old, although there have been several cases of hotot rabbits that have exceeded 16 years of age.
The only color included in the official standard for Hotot’s white rabbit is pure white , broken only by a clean black in the lines surrounding its large eyes.
Hotot rabbit character
The little hotot are really smiling and grateful rabbits. They have a benevolent character, being one of the most recommended rabbits to have as a companion animal. Besides being calm and affectionate, given their size, they are ideal to have them in flats or apartments of any size, even the smallest ones.
In addition, their intelligence and their capacity and predisposition for learning stand out. So much so, that experts from the world of rabbit breeding emphasize that it is one of the most obedient and easy-to-train rabbit breeds .
Basic care of a Hotot
You have to be very vigilant when it comes to feeding, as it is a fairly gluttonous breed. They tend to develop problems of being overweight and even obese with relative ease. But this can be avoided by providing them with a balanced diet tailored to its specific nutritional needs. It must always be borne in mind that the diet of the Hotot rabbit, and any other rabbit, is based on the consumption of hay supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Another of the Hotot rabbit care to pay attention to is the space dedicated to rest. Since it is a small breed, the cage does not have to be as spacious as in other rabbits. Of course, the minimum dimensions must be 61 × 61. In it it is important to place hay, water and a burrow so that the hotot can rest. Also, like all rabbits, the Hotot white needs to exercise and explore, so it is not appropriate to keep it confined in the cage 24 hours a day. Ideally, it would have its own room to leave the cage open and let them explore the rest of the house.
This breed of rabbit often has dental problems, so it is important to watch the diet and offer more fibrous food.
Hotot Rabbit Health
This breed of rabbits is not particularly delicate in terms of its state of health, so there are few diseases inherent to the breed. Specifically, the most common problem is malocclusion, a condition that affects oral health and, therefore, the general health of the animal. To solve this, you have to be aware of the growth rate of the rabbit’s teeth, making cuts at the veterinarian if necessary to avoid reaching a more serious problem. At home, it can be avoided by providing the Hotot rabbit with elements or toys that it can gnaw on, thus wearing down the teeth in a much more natural and progressive way.
Apart from being able to get sick for this reason mentioned, there are numerous diseases that stalk rabbits, hotot not being an exception, for this reason it is recommended to keep them correctly vaccinated.
