Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Small Mammal Pets/Answer Key"

Revision as of 14:54, 25 April 2007

This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf. For information on domestic rabbits in general, see Domestic rabbit.

A pet Netherland Dwarf.

A female Netherland Dwarf.

The Netherland Dwarf is a popular breed of domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) originating in the Netherlands. Smaller than most rabbit breeds, Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 lb (0.5 to 1.4 kg) and are usually kept as pets or exhibition animals. They are not typically used as sources of meat or fur because of their small size.

Most rabbits sold in pet stores are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-derived breeds (often referred to simply as dwarf breeds), or Netherland dwarf crosses. Their popularity as pets stems from their babyish appearance and their smaller cage space requirement compared to larger rabbit breeds.

History

The Netherland dwarf breed was first produced in the Netherlands in the early 20th century. Small Polish rabbits were bred with smaller wild rabbits^&; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the United Kingdom in 1948^&. In the 1960s and 1970s the United States imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits. The breed was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders' Association in 1969 using a modification of the British standard^&.

Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and 1980s, had fearful and sometimes aggressive temperaments. This was a result of breeders selecting wild breeding animals for their size. The first dwarf rabbits behaved more like these wild rabbits than domestic animals and were not good pets. However, through generations of selective breeding, the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.

Appearance

Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern.

Netherland dwarfs' heads and eyes are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head. Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened. These features, a part of the animals' dwarfism, cause them to look infantile even into adulthood.

Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with. However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the purebred dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.

Purebred Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including Himalayan, Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Chestnut, Siamese Sable, Opal, Lynx, Squirrel, Chinchilla, Otter, Tan, Silver Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Orange, Fawn, Steel, Blue-Eyed White and Ruby Eyed White^&. Other colors (including mismarks) exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf mongrel rabbits.

Netherland dwarfs as pets

Main article: Domestic rabbit

Behavior

Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained but are generally not very good with cats or dogs.

They tend to have spunkier and more energetic temperaments than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage. They are curious animals and have a tendency to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings. However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.

Diet

Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume grasses, grains, and other succulent greens. Their digestive system is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems such as diarrhea. In addition, sudden changes to a dwarf rabbit's diet can cause health problems. Generally hay and a pelleted feed should make up the largest portion of their diet. However, it should be noted that an excess of pellets in an older rabbit's diet can cause obesity.

Dwarf breeds

Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as dwarf breeds. Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings. Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg). Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded head, large eyes, or small ears of the Netherland dwarf.

Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit. Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with Rex rabbits, a fur breed with a short, plush coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur. Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the Angora rabbit, a wool-producing breed. Lop-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create Holland Lop and Mini-lop rabbits.

Notes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 American Rabbmileyit Breeders Association (2000). Official Guide Book: Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies. Bloomington, IL: American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.. pp. 65.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Taxobox
+:''This article concerns a particular breed of rabbit, the Netherland dwarf.  For information on domestic rabbits in general, see [[Domestic rabbit]].''
-| color = pink
-| name = Roborovski Hamster
-| image = Roborovski Dwarf Hamster - Colour Corrected.jpg
-| image_width = 220px
-| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
-| phylum = [[Chordata]]
-| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
-| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
-| familia = [[Cricetidae]]
-| subfamilia = [[Cricetinae]]
-| genus = ''[[Phodopus]]''
-| species = '''''P. roborovski'''''
-| binomial = ''Phodopus roborovski''
-| binomial_authority = ([[K. A Satunin|Satunin]], 1903)
-}}
-'''Roborovskis''' ('''''Phodopus roborovski''''') are the smallest and fastest of all [[hamster]]s and are commonly kept as [[pet]]s. Distinguishing characteristics of the Roborovskis are the white spots where their eyebrows would be, and the lack of a dorsal stripe commonly seen in dwarf hamsters. They live, on average, to three and a half years of age - the longest of any domestic hamster. Recently, a mutation has arisen producing "husky" or "white-faced" Roborovskis. Breeding these lines with agouti Roborovskis produces a diluted appearance of their natural brown colour.
+[[Image:Netherlanddwarfbunny.jpg|right|thumb|A pet Netherland Dwarf.]]
+[[Image:Netherland Dwarf On Brick.jpg|right|thumb|A female Netherland Dwarf.]]
+The '''Netherland Dwarf''' is a popular [[breed]] of [[domestic rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') originating in [[the Netherlands]].  Smaller than most [[List of rabbit breeds|rabbit breeds]], Netherland dwarf rabbits weigh 1 to 3 [[pound (mass)|lb]] (0.5 to 1.4 [[kilogram|kg]]) and are usually kept as [[pet]]s or exhibition animals.  They are not typically used as sources of [[meat]] or [[fur]] because of their small size.
-They are very curious, however easily startled and generally quite shy.  They are social and when socialised from an early age, sleep together in one place. Their speed makes them generally unsuitable for children who wish to have a pet they can hold and play. They are very affectionate when introduced at a young age. They do have very good tempermant and rarely bite. As they grow to be roughly the size of an adult's thumb, they can easily squeeze through the bars of a standard hamster cage, and so careful consideration needs to be given to housing. Always ask pet shop owners or breeders what is the best ideal cage to use. Because of their size and speed, Roborovskis are best for people who prefer to observe rather than to play with their pet.
+Most rabbits sold in [[pet store]]s are Netherland dwarfs, Netherland dwarf-[[selective breeding|derived breeds]] (often referred to simply as ''[[#Dwarf breeds|dwarf breeds]]''), or Netherland dwarf [[hybrid|crosses]].  Their popularity as pets stems from their [[baby]]ish appearance and their smaller [[cage]] space requirement compared to larger rabbit breeds.
-{|
+==History==
-|-
+The Netherland dwarf breed was first produced in the [[Netherlands]] in the early [[20th century]].  Small [[List of rabbit breeds#Polish|Polish rabbits]] were bred with smaller wild [[European rabbit|rabbit]]s<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf">
-| [[image:Roborovski Face.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Roborovskis' facial markings differ from those of other hamsters.]]
+{{cite book
-| [[image:Roborovskis Sleeping Together.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Roborovskis are extremely social and like to sleep together.]]
+  | last = American Rabbmileyit Breeders Association
-|}
+  | authorlink = American Rabbit Breeders' Association
+  | title = Official Guide Book: Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies
+  | publisher = American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
+  | date = 2000
+  | location = Bloomington, IL
+  | pages = 65 }}
+</ref>; after several generations the resulting animal was a very small domestic rabbit available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Netherland dwarfs were first imported into the [[United Kingdom]] in [[1948]]<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />.  In the [[1960s]] and [[1970s]] the [[United States]] imported its first Netherland dwarf rabbits.  The breed was accepted by the [[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]] in [[1969]] using a modification of the British standard<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />.
-Because of their size and features, they can be comical pets when observed in social groups.  If kept together in mixed sex pairs or groups Roborovski Hamsters usually start to breed in the spring following the year in which the female was born. Females often become sterile at around 24 months of age but males usually remain fertile for most of their life.
+Early dwarfs, even into the 1970s and [[1980s]], had fearful and sometimes aggressive [[temperament]]s.  This was a result of [[breeder]]s selecting wild [[breeder (animal)|breeding animals]] for their size.  The first dwarf rabbits behaved more like these [[wild]] rabbits than domestic animals and were not good pets.  However, through generations of [[selective breeding]], the modern Netherland dwarf has become a gentle, friendly pet rabbit, though it still retains a more energetic disposition than larger breeds.
-[[image:Susu_The_Hamster_Roby.JPG|thumb|200px|Roborovski's are the smallest and fastest of all hamsters.]]Roborovski hamsters gestate for around 23-30  days. When the young are born they resemble pink beans. At around 5-6 days the skin may start to pigment and at 6-8 days hair begins to emerge. By 10-12 days the babies are covered in short fur and the eyelids are beginning to mature. At this time the babies may also start wandering around the cage, even though still blind. The female will usually collect the wandering babies and return them to the nest - this may be accompanied by squealing from the babies but is not usually anything to worry about. At 14-16 days of age the eyes open and the babies are fully covered in fur.  The babies are fully weaned and can be removed from the mother at 4 weeks of age.
+==Appearance==
+[[Image:Netherlanddwarf-loki.jpg|thumb|right|Young Netherland dwarf in a mismarked Himalayan pattern.]]
+Netherland dwarfs' [[head]]s and [[eye]]s are disproportionately large with respect to their bodies, and their ears are tiny and carried high on the head.  Additionally, their faces are rounded and shortened.  These features, a part of the animals' [[dwarfism]], cause them to look [[infant]]ile even into [[adulthood]].
+Dwarf crosses frequently retain some of these characteristics, depending on the breed the dwarf is crossed with.  However, crosses rarely look as babyish as the [[purebred]] dwarfs and are usually somewhat larger.
+[[Purebred]] Netherland dwarfs come in a wide variety of colors, including [[List of rabbit breeds#Himalayan|Himalayan]], Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Smoke Pearl, Sable Point, Tortoiseshell, Chestnut, Siamese Sable, Opal, Lynx, Squirrel, [[List of rabbit breeds#Chinchilla|Chinchilla]], Otter, Tan, Silver Marten, Sable Marten, Smoke Pearl Marten, Orange, Fawn, Steel, Blue-Eyed White and Ruby Eyed White<ref name="ARBA book: Netherland Dwarf" />.  Other colors (including ''mismarks'') exist in non-show-quality Netherland dwarfs and in dwarf [[mongrel]] rabbits.
+==Netherland dwarfs as pets==
+:''Main article: [[Domestic rabbit#Rabbits as Pets|Domestic rabbit]]''
+===Behavior===
+Netherland dwarf rabbits have the same basic behavioral traits as other domestic rabbits. They can be litter-trained but are generally not very good with cats or dogs.
-==External links==
+They tend to have [[wikt:spunky|spunkier]] and more energetic [[temperament]]s than larger breeds of rabbit and are rarely content to sit still when outside of the cage.  They are curious animals and have a tendency to nibble on nearby objects and even human beings.  However, they are extremely fragile animals and easily stressed, and as such they do not make good pets for young children.
-*[http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/roborovski_hamsters.htm Pet Web Site (formerly The Complete Hamster Site) section on Roborovski Hamsters]
-*[http://www.hamster-heaven.com Hamster Heaven]
-*[http://roborovski.tk/ R&R Hamsters (a.k.a. Roborovski Hideout)]
-[[Category:Hamsters]]
+===Diet===
-[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
+Like other domestic rabbits, dwarf rabbits consume [[grasses]], [[cereal|grains]], and other succulent [[Leaf vegetable|greens]]. Their [[digestive system]] is somewhat less hardy than their larger cousins, and many leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage can give them health problems such as diarrhea. In addition, sudden changes to a dwarf rabbit's diet can cause health problems.  Generally [[hay]] and a [[pellet]]ed feed should make up the largest portion of their diet. However, it should be noted that an excess of pellets in an older rabbit's diet can cause obesity.
-[[de:Roborowski-Zwerghamster]]
+==Dwarf breeds==
-[[es:Phodopus roborovskii]]
-[[fr:Hamster de Roborovski]]
+Rabbit breeds derived from breeding larger rabbits with the Netherland dwarf are known as ''dwarf breeds''.  Most smaller breeds, like the Mini-Rex, the Jersey Wooly, and the Holland lop, are results of such breedings.  Generally dwarf breeds are slightly larger than the typical Netherland dwarf, not growing larger than 4 to 5 lb (1.8 to 2.3 kg).  Most have shortened faces compared to larger rabbits, and some even preserve the rounded [[head]], large [[eye]]s, or small [[ear]]s of the Netherland dwarf.
-[[it:Phodopus roborovskii]]
-[[ja:ロボロフスキーハムスター]]
+Most dwarf breeds are intended to bring a specialized characteristic, such as a specific fur type, into a smaller rabbit.  Mini-Rex were created through the breeding of dwarfs with [[List of rabbit breeds#Rex|Rex]] rabbits, a fur breed with a short, [[plush]] coat, and retain both the dwarf's size and the Rex fur.  Jersey Woolies are a dwarf version of the [[Angora rabbit]], a [[wool]]-producing breed.  [[List of rabbit breeds#Lop|Lop]]-eared rabbit breeds, interbred with dwarfs, were used to create [[Holland Lop]] and Mini-lop rabbits.
-[[pl:Chomik Roborowskiego]]
-[[pt:Hamster Roborovski]]
+==Notes==
-[[fi:Roborovskinkääpiöhamsteri]]
+<references />
-[[zh:沙漠侏儒倉鼠]]
+==See also==
+* [[Dwarf rabbit]]
+* [[List of rabbit breeds]]
+* [[American Rabbit Breeders' Association]]
+[[Category:Pet rabbits]]
+[[Category:Leporids]]
+[[th:เนเธอร์แลนด์ดวอฟ]]
+[[zh:荷蘭侏儒兔]]
+[[de:Farbenzwerg]]
+[[nl:Kleurdwerg]]