How Big can a Rabbit Get = Rabbits are generally small animals, but there is a lot of variation in size among different species. The largest rabbits can weigh up to 20 pounds and measure more than 4 feet in length.
The smallest rabbits, on the other hand, may only weigh a few ounces and measure just a few inches from nose to tail. In general, however, most rabbits fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, with adults weighing between 4 and 8 pounds and measuring between 16 and 20 inches in length.
How Big can a Rabbit Get?
Do you know how big a rabbit can get? They can actually get pretty big, as we will see in this blog post. We will take a look at the largest rabbits in the world, as well as some of the smaller ones. Rabbits come in all shapes and sizes, and each one is unique in its own way. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the biggest bunnies on the planet!
What is the Average Size of a Rabbit?
The average length and weight of an adult rabbit are between 20 ( 8 “) and 35 cm (14”), with the weight being anywhere between 4 – 8 Lbs. However, there are some rabbits that fall outside of this range. Young Rabbits are around nine inches in length
For example, the mini lop-eared rabbit is one of the smaller breeds, and it only grows to be about 20 cm in length. On the other hand, the Flemish Giant Rabbit is one of the largest breeds and it can grow to be over 90 cm (36″) in length! How Big can Rabbits Get?
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The Largest Rabbit in the World – Giant
The current record holder for the world’s biggest rabbit is Simon, who was born on May 16th, 2010. He weighs an impressive 49.07 kg (108 lb) and is 131 cm (51.57 inches) in length! Simon is a Flemish Giant Rabbit, and he currently lives with his owner, Annette Edwards, in the United Kingdom.
The Second Largest Rabbit in the World
The second-largest rabbit in the world is Darius, who was also born on May 16th, 2010. He weighs 47.54 kg (105 lb) and is 130 cm (51.18 inches) in length. Darius is also a Flemish Giant Rabbit, and he currently lives with his owner, Emma Williams-Wegman, in the United States of America.
The Smallest Rabbit in World?
While Simon and Darius are the two biggest rabbits in the world, there is no official record for the smallest rabbit. However, the title of “World’s Smallest Rabbit” is often given to the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit. This breed typically only grows to be about 20 cm (seven inches) in length and 0.91 kg (two pounds) in weight.
What factors contribute to a Rabbits’ Size?
There are a few factors that can contribute to a rabbit’s size. For example, the diet of a rabbit can play a role in how big it gets. A healthy diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets will help a rabbit to reach its full potential size.
Additionally, the breed of rabbit also plays a role in how big it can get. As we saw with the Flemish Giant Rabbit, some breeds are just naturally larger than others. Lastly, the environment in which a rabbit lives can also impact its size. For example, if a rabbit is kept in a small cage, it may not have enough room to grow to its full potential size.
Genetics
Rabbits have been selectively bred to produce large individuals for meat and fur production, as well as small individuals for pets.
Large Rabbits are bred by crossing large individuals of different breeds. The Flemish Giant is a cross between the French Lop and the Belgian Hare.
The German Lop was bred by crossing the English Lop and the German Hare.
Some small rabbits are bred by selecting for dwarfism genes. The Netherland Dwarf is an example of a breed with these genes.
Dwarfism in rabbits can also be caused by a virus, which causes stunted growth and skeletal deformities. This condition is called viral hemorrhagic disease, or VHD.
Breed
One of the largest factors that influence the size of a rabbit is the breed. Some breeds, like the Flemish Giant, are naturally larger than others. Other breeds have been bred to be smaller, like the Netherland Dwarf. The table below shows the average weight and height of some common rabbit breeds.
Breeds of Rabbits FAQ
| Breed of Rabbit | Origin | Weight | Purpose | Kits / Litter | Breed association |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealands | California | 5 kg 11 lbs | Meat | 8 | American Federation New Zealand Rabbit Breeders Assoc |
| Californias | California | 3 kg 7-10 lbs | Meat | 6 - 8 | California Rabbit Breeders |
| Rex | France | 4.5 kg 10.5 lbs | Meat | 2 - 4 | National Rex Rabbit Club |
| Satins | Michigan | 4 kg 9.5 lbs | Meat | 2 - 4 | American satin Breeders Association |
| Paliminos | American | 5.4 kg 12 lbs | Meat | 6 -8 | Palimino Rabbit Breeders Association |
| English Angora | England | 2-3 kg 5-7 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| French Angora | France | 4.5 kg 10.5 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Giant Angora | Turkey | 4.5 kg 9 - 10 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Satin Angora | Turkey | 4.5 kg 6 - 10 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Mini Lop | UK | 3 kg 5.5 lbs | Dwarf | 2 -3 | American Mini Lop Rabbit Club |
| Dutch Dwarf | Netherlands | 1 - 2 kg 2,5 lbs | Dwarf | 2 - 4 | American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club |
| Pygmy Rabbit | North American | 500 grams 1 lb | Dwarf | 6 | ? |
| Britania Petite | UK / Polish | 700 grams 1 1/2 - 2 lbs | Dwarf | 2-3 | American Britiania Petite Rabbit Society |
Size
Purpose
Litter Size
Breed Association
Diet
A rabbit’s diet will also play a role in the size of your rabbit when it matures. A healthy diet for a rabbit includes hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets.
A diet that is lacking in nutrients can lead to stunted growth or even health problems later on in life.
For example, a diet that is too high in sugar can cause obesity and other health problems.
Environment
The environment in which your rabbit lives will also impact its size. If a rabbit is kept in a small cage, it may not have enough room to grow to its full potential size. Additionally, if a rabbit does not have access to fresh hay or vegetables, it may also be stunted in growth.
It is important to make sure that your rabbit has enough space to exercise and play. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least four times the size of your rabbit in square footage.
Rabbits are social animals, so it is also important to provide them with a companion. Otherwise, they may become anxious and stressed, which can impact their health and growth.
Health
A rabbit’s health can also play a role in a rabbit’s size by stunting growth. If a rabbit is sick or has an illness, it may not grow to its full potential size.
Additionally, if a rabbit has parasites, this can also lead to health problems and stunted growth.
Rabbits are susceptible to a number of diseases and health problems. Some of these diseases can be deadly, so it is important to take your rabbit to the vet for regular check-ups.
VHD
As we mentioned before, one disease that can cause dwarfism in rabbits is called viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD). This disease is caused by a virus and leads to stunted growth and skeletal deformities. VHD is deadly in rabbits and there is no known cure.
However, there are vaccines available that can help to protect your rabbit from this disease.
Pregnant Does
Another health issue that can lead to stunted growth is pregnancy in does. If a doe becomes pregnant, she may not have enough resources to support both herself and her litter. This can lead to the development of health problems in both the doe and her litter. Additionally, the litter may be born premature or smaller than average.
Climate
Climate can play a role by impacting the availability of food and water. For example, in areas with a lot of rainfall, there may be more vegetation available for rabbits to eat.
On the other hand, in arid climates, there may be less vegetation available, which can impact a rabbit’s growth.
Finally
As we have seen, there are a number of factors that play a role in how big rabbits can get. These include diet, breed, environment, and health. By understanding these factors, you can provide your rabbit with the best possible care to help them reach their full potential size!
The Largest and Smallest Rabbit Breeds
What are the Largest Breeds for Rabbits?
- What size are Small Rabbits (lbs)? Less than four pounds
- What is the size of Medium Rabbits (lbs) Four to six pounds
- What is Large size Rabbits (lbs)? Six pounds and up
- What are Extra-large size Rabbits (lbs) More than nine pounds
How to Weigh your Rabbit?
You can also weigh your rabbit at home using a kitchen scale. A baby rabbit is fully grown around 12 weeks old but may continue to fill out until they are six months old
The Largest Wild Rabbits
The largest Wild rabbits live in North America and Europe. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the best-known type of wild rabbit. It’s also the ancestor of all domesticated rabbits
The largest North American wild rabbit is the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), which weighs between two and four pounds.
In Great Britain, the average weight of an adult male European Rabbit is about five pounds, while a female averages slightly less than five pounds. The largest recorded wild European Rabbit weighed nine pounds and was found in Spain
The 10 Largest Rabbit Breeds In The World
- Flemish Giant
- Continental Giant
- Blanc de Bouscat
- Spanish Giant
- Hungarian Giant
- French Lop
- British Giant
- Checkered Giant
- Silver Fox
- Giant Chinchilla
The Smallest Rabbit Breeds
The smallest rabbit Breeds are;
- Pygmy Rabbit
- Netherland Dwarf
- Britannia Petite
- Polish
- Himalayan
- Dwarf Hotot
- Lionhead Rabbit
- Jersey Wooly
- Holland Lop
- American Fuzzy Lop
- Florida White
To know how big your rabbit will get you can look at the size of their parents, the average size for their breed, or ask your veterinarian. . The largest wild rabbits are found in Europe and Asia.
How Big are Rabbits When They’re Born?
When a baby rabbit, kit is born, they are blind, deaf, and only weigh about three ounces. At birth, a kit is about the size of a honeybee.
How Long Until a Baby Rabbit is Full-Grown?
A baby rabbit is fully grown around 12 weeks old but may continue to fill out until they are six months old.
At What Age do Rabbits Stop Growing?
Rabbits will mature anywhere from five to twelve months depending on the breed. Some may even grow a little bit after that. For example, my Holland Lop doe stopped growing at about ten months old but didn’t fill out until she was around a year and a half old.
As you can see, there is quite a range in sizes for rabbits! The largest rabbits can weigh over 20 pounds while the smallest breeds max out at just four or five pounds. How big your rabbit will get depends on a variety of factors including diet, breed, environment, and health. By understanding these factors, you can provide your rabbit with the best possible care to help them reach their full potential size!
How do I Know How Big My Rabbit will Be?
A way you can guess how big your bunny will be is by their parents size, the average size for their breed, and also the breed standard. You can also ask your veterinarian. If you want to get an estimate of how big your rabbit is, you can weigh them at home with a kitchen scale. Here are the average weights for rabbits:
Are Males Bigger Than Females?
Generally in each breed the male (Bucks) are larger than the females (Does). Though, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, in the Holland Lop breed, does tend to be slightly larger than bucks on average.
How Can I Make Sure My Rabbit Grows to Their Full Potential Size?
The best way to ensure that your rabbit grows to their full potential size is by providing them with a healthy diet and environment. A healthy diet for rabbits includes hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets.
Make sure your rabbit has plenty of space to run and play as exercise is important for their health and growth. provide your rabbit with a clean litter box filled with soft bedding material such as hay or straw.
Do Smaller Breeds Live Longer?
Smaller Breeds of Rabbits generally live longer than their larger counterparts. The average lifespan of a small breed rabbit is around eight to twelve years while the average lifespan of a large breed rabbit is around five to seven years. This difference in lifespan is due to several factors including health problems common in large breeds and the increased risk of injury from being dropped or stepped on.
What Size do Rabbits Make Good Pets?
The most common size of pet rabbits are medium breeds such as the Holland Lop, Netherland Dwarf, and Lionhead Rabbit. These breeds are a good size for most families as they are small enough to handle but large enough to provide plenty of love and companionship.
No matter what size rabbit you choose, be sure to do your research on their care requirements so you can provide them with the best possible home!
Do Bigger Bunnies Need More Space?
As a general rule the rabbits size will dictate the amount of space they need. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least four times the size of your rabbit in terms of square footage. For example, a eight pound rabbit would need a minimum hutch that is at least two feet by four feet.
While bigger bunnies do need more space, it is important to remember that all rabbits needs plenty of room to run and play. Be sure to provide your bunny with toys and enrichment items such as hay tunnels and cardboard boxes to keep them entertained.
Wild Rabbit Size
The most common type of wild rabbit is the cottontail rabbit. Cottontail rabbits are found throughout North America, and they typically weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. They’re named for their distinctive white tails, which are about as long as their bodies.
Another common type of wild rabbit is the jackrabbit. Jackrabbits are larger than cottontail rabbits, and they can weigh up to 8 pounds. They’re found in western North America, and they’re named for their long ears and powerful legs.
The largest type of wild rabbit is the snowshoe rabbit. Snowshoe rabbits are found in northern North America, and they can weigh up to 10 pounds. They’re white with black markings on their feet, which give them their name.
Final Thoughts – How Big can Rabbits get?
Rabbits come in a wide range of sizes, with the largest breeds reaching up to 20 pounds. However, the average weight for most rabbits is between 4 and 8 pounds. The size of a rabbit also depends on its age, with adult rabbits typically being larger than young rabbits.
When it comes to height, rabbits can range from 8 to 18 inches tall. Again, the size of a rabbit can vary depending on its breed and age. So, if you’re wondering how big your rabbit can get, it really depends on a number of factors. However, most rabbits will fall somewhere within the average size range.
