Animal-World > Small Animals > Pet Rabbits > Mini Rex Rabbits

Mini Rex Rabbit

Family: Leporidae

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See More about Floppy Oryctolagus cuniculus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Rebecca Baxter

   A sweet, cuddly nature along with a plush velvety coat makes the Mini Rex a favorite pet bunny!

   Outwardly the Mini Rex rabbit looks like a miniature version of the larger Rex Rabbit. Sporting graceful proportions and that nice plush "Rex fur", this is a very good looking rabbit. It has become one of the most popular and readily available pet rabbits and is good with children.

   The Mini Rex is an adorable medium sized rabbit that makes a wonderful companion. Generally friendly and moderately active, they will enjoy playing or just relaxing and being petted. Because of its relatively small size it is easy to handle, as well as easy to house and feed.

For more information about Rabbis and their care see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Rabbit

Background:
   The Mini Rex is accepted as a new breed in Great Britain and the United States. This breed was first recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1988.

Description:
   The Mini Rex grows to 3.5-4.5 lbs. They are well-muscled with good shoulder and hip widths. Their ears stand straight and erect.

   Monna R. Berryhill, who is from Texas, first bred them and has shared the following information with us:

Castor colored Mini Rex rabbit
Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The main feature of Rex rabbits is their very beautiful and very soft fur. It feels just like velvet when you pet it. This is because the longest guard hairs have been bred away and the secondary guard hairs have been reduced to the same length as the undercoat hairs.

Color differences:
   Though there are lots of different colors of Mini Rex, they have to be particular colors if they are going to be show bunnies rather than pets. But those that are pets are every bit as cuddly and soft.
   The Mini Rex varieties allowed for showing are: Black, Blue, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Seal, Tortoise Broken color (any recognized color and white with the exception of Himalayan) and Red-eyed White.

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Latest Comments
I have had this rabbit for 2 years. She likes to love on people and is very laid back. So I suggest if you're getting a rabbit, get a mini-rex. Maggie 2008-11-10
We just recently added our minirex, Shadow, to the family and its been wonderful. He is the cutest thing and he has the softest fur. He's playful and he gets pretty easily amused, like he loves playing with this plastic cup. I don't know why but it's awfully cute. He also loves being pet and sitting on my lap:). He is also very intelligent, we've already potty trained! Everybody loves him:). I'm 13 and my brother is 11. He adores me, he thinks I'm his mommy and he licks me. But my bros a bit roughfer when he pets him, but he still enjoys his company. HE MAKES THE MOST PERFECT ADDITION TO THE FAMILY! Layla 2008-10-28
I too have a scary mini rex. He has bitten my son twice, is very jumpy in our arms and charges us when we reach into his cage. I try to hold him and tame him. I'm just not sure if he's fixable. Anonymous 2008-10-25
I just got my mini rex, Blue, today. He is gentle, but super active. He is so sweet. I got him for Youth Fair because my doe died Saturday. So far he is amazing. CJ 2008-10-07
Hi! I used to have two mini rex bunnies, I never thought I'd get them. After two happy years, they disappeared from their cage. We never saw either again. To this very day, I miss them with my heart and hope we will find them. Kate 2008-09-18
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I've had mine for quite a long time now. He's called Jasper, he's 3 this November 08 and he's castor brown. My experience with him has been lovely and I recommend all you guys out there on getting one. They feel like velvet and I sometimes watch eastenders with him on my lap :D haha. He sometimes bites my clothes when I'm not looking, but overall he's a generally relaxed bunny. We keep him indoors because he's not neutered and we feel it's healthier for him because he's out of the damp. You may need to get them a new chew toy every say, 6 months, because they do love chewing which is good for their teeth. Their eye lashes can get quite long and so can their claws so always keep nail cutters handy ;). I love Jasper and I always will. They like to have little holes to go in like their burrows in the wild. They're a bit like dogs because they have the same affection. Anyway .. hope you get one :p Gemma 2008-11-10
Last December I fostered 3 mini rex brothers, never thinking they would become part of the family. They were neutered after 4 months old and they just turned 1 year old this past October. Jack is lavender, Ben and Tim are black. Fresh greens are fed daily...never pellets. Timothy hay always and alfalfa chews as treats. For their birthday I made cakes: rice cakes with a banana/blueberry mash spread. If Tim had his choice, he would only eat carrots and pears. But to keep a full variety and healthy diet, I mix and dice various fruits and greens daily. I really enjoy making edible chew toys and keeping their hutch and runner comfy and cozy. I love them very much...And to think I consider myself a cat person..... Marybeth 2007-11-06
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Wow thanks for all the info, it was truly great. Let me tell you, I'm 11 years old and I really want a bunny. I wrote a 70 page notebook of nothing but what to do for a bunny I love them oh so much, and well my parents said most likely no! But I have faith and I promised that I'll pay for most of that stuff. But anyways I want to get it at the state fair coming up in April 9-13th 2008. I can't wait, I hope my parents say yes. I love them but I love animals. Why start when I'm old when I can start when I'm young and well you know, have a fresh start. But well I don't know, I hope they say yes. I just dont think that they understand what I need for my sake. Well anyways, I really thank you guys out there for listening, I appreciate it! = p ha ha, Hannah Kirscbaum! Hannah 2008-03-25
thank you for informing me about rabbits! stephanie alexander 2007-02-10
i enjoy raising mini rexes too. i was just looking at your web page as i am just looking for some info on mini rexes for the fair. Macy 2005-06-29