How Long Do Floppy Eared Bunnies Live

Rabbits are members of the mammalian order called Lagomorpha. Wild rabbits were historically commonly found in southern Europe and northwestern Africa. Now, they’ve spread to many different continents, where they thrive and grow.

Rabbits need plenty of care as well as a good and safe environment if they are to be healthy and happy. They are sociable animals who like the company of other rabbits so it is often recommended that you should get more than one 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.

The average life expectancy for Floppy Eared Bunnies is approximately seven to twelve years. This, when compared to other breeds is a relatively long lifespan. For example, large Floppy Eared Bunnies live for an average of five to six years, whilst lionheads live for seven to nine. However, seven to twelve years is not guaranteed with the mini–Floppy Eared Bunnies; some live to just five years, whilst others have been known to live for fifteen.

Vital Stats of Floppy Eared Bunnies

Size:    Large, weighing about 5kg (11lb).

Coat:   Short, stiff fur (known as fly-back fur, as it snaps back into its original position when pushed against the grain) that requires minimal grooming. English Lops come in several colours, including fawn, white, black or gold, either as an all-over solid colour or with broken markings.

Life span:       5-7 years.

Temperament:          Laid-back and inquisitive.

Special requirements:         The size of English Lops’ ears can hinder their movement and leave them largely inactive, so they can be easy to overfeed. They need lots of exercise to stay healthy and, as a lot of heat is lost through their ears, they are vulnerable to the cold, which is why they are best suited to living indoors.

Aging And The Average Lifespan Of Rabbits

There are many breeds of rabbits. Just like with dogs, each has a different lifespan. In general, larger rabbit breeds live shorter lives than dwarf breeds, and purebred rabbits have shorter lives than mixed breeds. But each rabbit is different; a large purebred rabbit may live up to 10 years, while a mixed-breed dwarf rabbit may only live eight. 

Below is a table briefly detailing the lifespan for 20 common rabbit breeds.

The middle column lists the average lifespan for that breed. This figure assumes that the rabbit is neutered or spayed, healthy and well-cared for. In the third column, we have provided each breed’s maximum known lifespan.

Rabbit Breed                        Average Lifespan
Lionhead7 – 10 years
Standard Rex6 – 8 years
Mini Rex8 – 10 years
French loop6 – 8 years
Holland Loop8 – 10 years
Dutch5 – 8 years
Flemish giant5 – 8 years
Mini Lop6 – 9 years
English Angora7 – 10 years
Chinchilla7 – 10 years
Netherland Dwarf7 – 10 years
Harlequin5 – 8 years
Continental Giant4 – 7 years
New Zealand5 – 7 years
American Fuzzy Lop5 – 8 years
American Sable5 – 8 years
Himalayan7 – 9 years
English Spot6 – 8 years
Checkered Giant6 – 9 years

The average lifespan of a rabbit varies widely depending on a number of factors. Breed, health, care, living conditions, wild vs. domesticated — the list goes on and on! You’re likely more concerned about your pet. How long do pet rabbits live?

Wild rabbits live for 1 to 2 years. But pet rabbits live longer as they aren’t at risk from predators or disease. Well-cared-for, medium-sized rabbits can live for 10 years. Larger rabbits, such as Flemish giants, usually don’t live past 8 or 9. Dwarf rabbits, like Holland lops, may reach 12 years.

The RSPCA says that research suggests a typical rabbit lifespan of 8-12 years. But there are a lot of possibilities at play in the life of an individual rabbit.

What Factors Affect Rabbit Breed Life Expectancy?

Because rabbits are such tempting prey animals for many creatures, it really isn’t safe to keep your bunny outside 24 hours a day. The biggest risk to rabbits kept outside is predatory hunters. There are many reasons why different rabbit breeds may live longer or shorter lives than others:

Breed origin: Most rabbit breeds were bred to be pets. However, some breeds were originally bred for meat, such as Flemish Giants and New Zealand whites. Meat rabbits don’t need to live long, for obvious reasons.

Genetic abnormalities: The gene pool for some rabbits, especially newer breeds, isn’t large. According to the Journal of Heredity, inbreeding in rabbits can cause genetic abnormalities that may reduce their lifespan.

Size: Larger rabbit breeds do not live as long as smaller rabbits. Scientists believe that larger breeds age quicker than smaller ones, but it’s not known precisely why.

Care requirements: Because of their different physical characteristics, some rabbit breeds need more involved care. If this isn’t provided, they can become sick. For example, longhaired breeds are prone to hairballs if not brushed regularly.

Health problems: Rabbit breeds are the result of artificial selection. Unfortunately, this has made some breeds prone to health problems. For example, lop-eared breeds are more prone to ear problems.

We’ll now take a closer look at some of the most popular rabbit breeds. We’ll discuss their lifespans, and why each one lives for as long as it does.

How Much Do Floppy Eared Bunnies Rabbit Cost?

Like most rabbits, the Floppy Eared Bunnies is usually pretty inexpensive. They can cost as little as $40. Most will range between $20 to $400. Those from champion lines and breeders will cost the most. However, the extra cost may be worth it.

More expensive rabbits tend to be healthier, as they are bred by a more experienced breeder. Of course, don’t assume a rabbit is healthy just because of its price. Ask about the parents and ask to see where the kits and mother are staying.

There is no health testing that is required or recommended for these rabbits, so that is not an issue you need to bring up to the breeder.

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