Rabbits: Life Span of a Rabbit

Rabbits are one of the most wonderful pets, and people cherish having one at home. Their soft and smooth skin and good temperament are worth mentioning. Kids are very fond of pet rabbits and it is not unusual that they play a lot with them. While choosing the type of rabbit for keeping as a pet, make sure you take a note of the grooming tips for that particular breed. Some rabbits need specific attention and hours of grooming, while others do well with the basic house rabbit care. More on rabbits as pet for kids.

Younger rabbits are more fun and cheerful to deal with than the older ones. Nevertheless, if you have less time for your pet, opt for older rabbits (above 12 months), as they are more easy to groom. While speaking about rabbits life span, it is very important that you understand the life expectancy of that particular breed that you have chosen. As a rabbit owner, you should understand the special requirements of your pet, as only then will your pet rabbit lead a long life. Read more on care for a newborn rabbit and facts about rabbits.

Rabbits: Life Span of a Rabbit
The average life span of a rabbit is between 7-12 years. However, it can vary from one specimen to another; some breeds survive for as long as 15 years, while others live for just 5 years. Also, the life expectancy of rabbits differs, based on how they survive in the environment provided. For example, the same rabbit breed may live longer in captivity than in a wild habitat. Following is a list of rabbits along with their expected life span.

Wild Rabbits Life Span
The life span of wild rabbits is very low in comparison to pet rabbits. Though the average life span for wild rabbits is 6-7 years, most of them hardly live for one year, mainly because of the several predators in the wild. Rabbits, in the wild, also have to compete for food and shelter among themselves and with those that share the common diet and habitat. Read more on what do rabbits eat.

Pet Rabbits Life Span
It is understandable that domestic rabbits life span is longer than those rabbits surviving in the wild. The reason behind this is quite obvious; favorable environmental conditions, no predators, less competition for food and special attention when sick. Based on the breed, the life span for pet rabbits is about 5-10 years.

Dwarf Rabbits Life Span
Dwarf rabbits are one of the most preferred pets, next to dogs and cats. There are several species of small rabbits, which are classified under the dwarf variety. Generally, they have a long life span. for Example, the Netherland dwarf rabbits usually survive for more than 8 years. Read more on facts about dwarf rabbits.

Giant Rabbits Life Span
On a general note, the larger rabbit species have a shorter lifespan than the dwarf or smaller species. Hence, contrary to the dwarf breeds that usually live for more than 8 years, giant rabbits survive hardly for 5-6 years. They are dull and less cheerful in comparison to the dwarf breeds.

Rex Rabbits Life Span
Rex rabbit breeds are are available in various colors, such as amber, blue, chocolate, cinnamon and black. Rex rabbits life span is quite short, about 5-6 years. Nevertheless, neutering these pets can lengthen the life expectancy to about 8-11 years.

Himalayan Rabbits Life Span
The life span of Himalayan rabbits is more than 8 years. Himalayans are popular for their good temperament and minimal grooming requirements. They are small, weigh about 2 kilograms and have less fur. Read more on how to care for a rabbit.

New Zealand Rabbits Life Span
On an average, New Zealand rabbits live for about 5-7 years. If you are looking for large, white bunnies, then New Zealand rabbits are the perfect choice. These house rabbits can even weigh up to 45 kilograms. Read more on pet rabbit breeds.

Polish Rabbits Life Span
Polish rabbit breeds are small in size and have a life span of about 8-10 years. Available in a wide variety of coat colors, this dwarf rabbit variety have less fur and don't face any specific health problem. Read more on different rabbit breeds.

Lop Eared Rabbits Life Span
Lop eared rabbits are wonderful as pets and have a better temperament than the dwarf breeds. Dwarf and mini lop rabbits have a life span of 9-10 years. On the contrary, larger breeds of lop eared rabbits usually survive for 5-6 years. The Holland lop rabbits life span is about 5-7 years. Similar to other breeds, a lop rabbit, after undergoing the neutering procedure, can even live for 10 years.

Lionhead Rabbits Life Span
The average life span for lionhead rabbits is 7-9 years. The coat color of lionhead rabbits can vary. At maturity, these rabbits weigh about 1.7 kilograms. They are friendly and make good pets for kids. Read more on:

• Taking Care of Rabbits
• How Long do Rabbits Live

Well, this was a brief about rabbits life span. In a nutshell, wild rabbits live for a shorter duration than pet rabbits, smaller breeds have longer life spans than larger ones and rabbits, after neutering, survive longer. So take care of your pet rabbit and help it live to the fullest!