Castor Rex Rabbit: Pictures, Facts, Traits, Behavior & Care

Castor Rex Rabbits are domesticated rabbits that make great pets thanks to their lively and playful temperament. These rabbits have a plush and velvety coat that typically has one of the original chestnut brown colorations of Rex rabbits. Whether you are a rabbit fancier looking for a show rabbit, or simply a social pet, the Castor Rex Rabbit is worth considering.

Breed Overview

The Rex rabbit breed is believed to have originated in 1919 in France from a litter of wild gray rabbits. The breed was then further developed by rabbit fanciers until they were recognized internationally at the 1924 International Rabbit Show. Rex rabbits were imported into the United States by Alfred Zimmerman and John Fehr, and soon gained popularity for their short, dense fur and chestnut coloration.

Both the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC) recognize the Castor coloration as a breed standard in Rex rabbits.

Castor Rex Rabbit Breed Characteristics

How Much Do These Rabbits Cost?

Castor Rex Rabbits made their way into America and caught the attention of both rabbit fanciers and the fur industry. Now, Castor Rex Rabbits are kept as pets, bred for fur and meat, used in shows, and bred by rabbit fanciers.

Since Castor Rex Rabbits aren’t considered rare, they are not going to be very costly. Most Castor Rex Rabbits sell for about $20 to $60, although some breeders may sell them for up to $300. Of course, a well-bred and high-quality Castor Rex Rabbit is going to cost more than the average pet rabbit. Castor Rex Rabbits are also popular enough to be found in some rescue or adoption centers. This means that you have the option of adopting a Castor Rex Rabbit for a small adoption fee rather than full price.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Castor Rex Rabbit

Do These Rabbits Make Good Pets? 👪

Castor Rex Rabbits generally make good pets for rabbit owners that have other rabbits. Before getting any rabbit, you should always do your research beforehand on the updated and proper care that any rabbit breed requires. However, having first-hand experience in caring for rabbits is always a bonus before getting another one.

These rabbits are considered well-behaved with a desirable temperament. They are lively, playful, and social which makes them appealing to many rabbit owners.

Keep in mind that rabbits can live for up to 10 years with proper care, so they can be a long commitment. It is important to determine if you have the necessary funds and time to care for your Castor Rex for the next decade before determining if they will be a good pet for you.

Does This Rabbit Get Along With Other Pets?

Castor Rex Rabbits are social and benefit from the company of other rabbits. As a social pet, it is best to house Castor Rex Rabbits with another rabbit friend. However, the rabbits will need to be bonded before being housed together.

It is not recommended to house Castor Rex Rabbits with other pets like guinea pigs, and they should be kept away from dogs, cats, and other predatory animals. As long as your Castor Rex Rabbit is secure in their cage and free-roaming area, they can share the same household as dogs and cats.

Things to Know When Owning a Castor Rex Rabbit:

Food & Diet Requirements 🥕

Like all rabbits, the Castor Rex is a strict herbivore with the majority of their diet consisting of hay. They require a high amount of fiber in their diet and should get most of their fiber needs from hays and grasses. Castor Rex Rabbits should have access to fresh hays and grasses that they can eat throughout the day. Fibrous foods like veggies and rabbit-based pellets can also be included in their diet.

Your Castor Rex Rabbit will spend a good portion of their day eating orchid, oat, timothy, meadow grass, or alfalfa hays (for young rabbits). Hay and grasses are crucial for a Castor Rex Rabbit’s digestive system and oral health.

Habitat & Hutch Requirements 🏠

Castor Rex Rabbits can live either indoors or outdoors if their habitat is appropriately sized and secure. If you choose to keep your Castor Rex Rabbit outdoors, you will need to keep them in a hutch. The hutch should be designed to keep your rabbit safe from the weather elements like rain, wind, and the sun while protecting them from predators.

If your rabbit freely roams out of their hutch during the day, building an enclosed fence around the hutch is important. Since rabbits can dig quite well, the fencing should go into the ground to discourage your rabbit from escaping underneath it.

When housing a Castor Rex Rabbit inside, you should keep them in a spacious cage that allows your rabbit to move freely and stand up on their hind legs. If you keep your Castor Rex Rabbit in a cage with a wire floor, you can also provide a smooth surface in a portion of the cage.

This allows your rabbit to choose their preferred bottom, as both smooth and wired flooring have their pros and cons. Be sure to check with your rabbit’s veterinarian about the right flooring and habitat according to your rabbit’s health, size, age, and lifestyle. The number of rabbits you house in the cage will also influence the size.

Exercise & Sleeping Needs 🐇

Castor Rex Rabbits can be energetic, and exercise is important for their overall health and enrichment. However, you should never force your rabbit to exercise. Rabbit exercise consists of free-roaming, playing, and other enriching activities that allow them to explore their natural tendencies. You won’t need to take your Castor Rex Rabbit for a walk in the evenings as you would for a dog, but they do need at least 3 hours of playtime.

Your rabbit may get bored cooped up in their habitat all day, so you have the option of free-roaming your rabbit in a secure area. During the night, your Castor Rex Rabbit should be placed back into their habitat and allowed to sleep and nap for 8 to 12 hours a day.

Training 🥎

It is possible to litter train your Castor Rex Rabbit with patience and positive reinforcement. Training your Castor Rex Rabbit from a young age will prevent them from developing a routine that will make it difficult to train them in the future. Most Castor Rex Rabbits are intelligent and can be litter-trained in a matter of weeks.

Grooming ✂️

Castor Rex Rabbits generally have a smooth and manageable coat. Their coat is one of their best features, and the velvety texture can be maintained by regular grooming. Like other rabbits, Castor Rex Rabbits will groom themselves by licking and scratching throughout the day. Your Castor Rex Rabbit may even be groomed by other rabbits when they are bonded. You can brush your rabbit’s fur once or twice a week and use a wet cloth to wipe any stains or poop off their coat.

It is not necessary or advisable to bathe your Castor Rex Rabbit in water unless it is advised by their veterinarian. When grooming your Castor Rex Rabbit, you should also check their teeth and nails. If they appear overgrown, they will need to be trimmed by a veterinarian. If your Castor Rex Rabbit husbandry is up to standard, it’s unlikely for their teeth and nails to become overgrown.

Lifespan and Health Conditions 🏥

Castor Rex Rabbits have an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. This makes them a long commitment, similar to that of large dog breeds. Aside from ensuring your Castor Rex Rabbit is healthy, kept in an ideal cage, fed the appropriate diet, and kept with other rabbits, they also need veterinary care.

As prey animals, rabbits can hide their injuries and disease quite well. So, by the time they show you that they are unwell, treatment should be prompt. Your Castor Rex Rabbit will need to be taken to an exotic veterinarian right away since many rabbit health problems can be fatal if left untreated.

Overall, Castor Rex Rabbits are quite hardy and robust, and when cared for properly, usually don’t fall ill unnecessarily. As your Castor Rex Rabbit gets older, taking them for a veterinarian check-up more frequently can help spot any age-related problems. Your rabbit’s veterinarian may also recommend vaccinations that can help protect your rabbit from serious disease outbreaks.

Male vs Female

Whether you choose a male or female rabbit is completely up to you, as there are some slight differences between the two. Male Castor Rex Rabbits are often described as having a more mellow temperament, whereas females can be seen as more independent.

Both male and female Castor Rex Rabbits can show hormonal-based behaviors that can usually be rectified with sterilization (spaying or neutering). Since female rabbits may be prone to reproductive problems and cancers, having them sprayed can prevent these problems from occurring.

3 Little-Known Facts About Castor Rex Rabbits

1. The velvety and smooth coat seen in Castor Rex Rabbits is due to the same-length guard hairs. This gives the rabbit a plushy appearance and feel.

2. The Castor Rex Rabbit’s coat is the result of a genetic mutation that is now deliberately bred.

3. Castor Rex Rabbits aren’t a separate breed, as “Castor” refers to the chestnut brown coloration of a Rex rabbit.

Final Thoughts

Castor Rex Rabbits make wonderful pets for owners wanting a smooth-coated rabbit with a breed-standard coloration. These rabbits have great temperaments that make them easy to train and bond with. Once a Castor Rex Rabbit has bonded with you, they are a joy to own and often don’t mind being gently handled and petted.

Caring for your Castor Rex Rabbit properly is going to ensure that they can live with you for the next 7 to 10 years of their life.

Featured Image Credit: 286865878, Shutterstock