Happy Birthday Jaida

This book was made especially for you, Jaida, for your 8th birthday. We hope you have an awesome birthday, because you are awesome and we love you very much! Happy Birthday beautiful girl Love Aunty Mara and Island 4th April, 2021

This is my bunny. I called him Carrots (middle name Elmer). He was 8 weeks old when we got him, he’s grey and white and he’s really soft. He’s a mini lop rabbit. The term “Lop” refers to their adorable ears- which are very long and wide, they hang down either side of them and touch the ground.

There are many other types of rabbits in Australia: American Rabbit The American Rabbit Breed was originally known as the ‘German Blue Vienna’ Rabbit, they come in a White and “Blue” colour variety. This is a larger breed, known for their good temperament and mothering abilities. American Sable Named after it’s “Sable” colouring, this large sized rabbit breed has a docile nature and tends to spend most its day sleeping. They enjoy spending time with other rabbits.

Angora Rabbit The Angora Rabbit has a long, soft wool coat. Due to their beautiful coats, these fellows are very popular show animals. An Angora Rabbit has many different sub breeds, including but not limited to; The English, French, German and Chinese Angora. These calm rabbits require very careful handling and extensive grooming. Belgian Hare The Belgian Hare is a large domestic rabbit with an appearance that strongly resembles that of a wild hare. This breed may require a different diet and housing to that of other domestic rabbit breeds. They are very energetic and require more space than most other breeds- so a bigger hutch or enclosure is essential. This high maintenance, intelligent rabbit breed can easily be trained, and is also easily startled.

Beveren Rabbit Beveren Rabbits are energetic, are born explorers and make excellent mothers. These clean and smart Rabbits also have a good temperament. These large rabbits need plenty of space to burn off their energy and explore their surroundings. Blanc De Hotot This medium sized breed is white in colour and features unique, black bands around each eye. They are a very robust and active rabbit. Named after the region in France where the breed was developed, these fellows are also popular show animals.

Californian Rabbit This larger size rabbit has a solid build and fine coat, the Californian (or Californian White) is a popular rabbit breed for both showing and keeping as a pet. Named after its country of origin (California) these bunnies have a quiet nature and tend to be fairly reserved. Cashmere Lop Rabbit The Cashmere Lop is a compact, medium-sized Rabbit with a long, silky and dense coat. The ‘Lop’ part of their name refers to the shape of their ears. They have a thick undercoat and come in many colour varieties. These rabbits require a fair bit of grooming – especially when they outgrow and shed their “baby” coat of fur, at about 12 weeks old.

Dutch Rabbit The Dutch Rabbit has a very distinctive colour pattern on its’ coat. This breed is very popular for both showing and keeping as pets as they are easy to train. A Dutch Rabbit generally has an easy-going, calm temperament, with their short coat they require minimum grooming. Dwarf Angora Rabbit With it’s friendly, placid and calm temperament, the Dwarf Angora makes a for great family pet a great show animal. This small sized bunny loves to be pet and is happy to be held carefully. With their woolly coat, a Dwarf Angora bunny will require weekly brushing.

Holland Lop Rabbit This Dwarf Breed is a compact rabbit with long floppy (lop) ears. It is a popular both as a show animal and as a pet. Once grown, a Holland Lop are known for having nice personalities, and are popular pets with a friendly temperament Rex Rabbit The Rex Rabbit makes for a quiet, intelligent and low maintenance pet. This medium sized, short-haired rabbit has very soft fur, which has been described as feeling like a “plush velvet”. As they have such short hair, they do not require as much brushing as other breeds- however their nails will need to be regularly trimmed. Their temperament is described as playful and boisterous and at times, they may bite. The males of this breed can become quite aggressive at mating age.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit The Netherland Dwarf is a smaller rabbit breed, and is named after its country of origin (the Netherlands). It’s very active and energetic. It has a gentle, friendly temperament. A Netherland Dwarf rabbit tends to be a bit skittish and nervous. They are easily startled and stressed. French Lop Rabbit This Large Rabbit has long “lop” ears which hang down below their jaw and a soft, dense coat. With a relaxed and placid temperament, they are gentle with children. they can be quite large and strong. Being a larger rabbit, they will require more space in their hutch and run than a Dwarf or mini rabbit breed.

So, there are many types of rabbits around but I think Carrots is the cutest one. I got him for my 8th birthday. Mum and I picked him up 2 weeks early from Best Friend Pets in Tweed Heads. Carrots travelled in the car safely in a box. And of course, I held the box. The box had air holes so that Carrots could breathe. I could hear him scratching the floor of the box.

When we arrived home, I was very excited to get Carrots out of the travel box.

We also bought Carrots a home to live in. We had to make sure it was big enough for him, and that the flooring was solid so he can’t escape. The cage we got for him was just like this one, made of plastic and wire, only the plastic stairs on Carrot’s cage are green and not white. Under the stairs there’s a place for the rabbit to hide if he gets scared.

We set up his new cage in the lounge room. We put some water in the drink bottle, hay in the food holder and bunny litter in the bottom of the cage.

An interesting fact about Rabbit’s, is that their teeth grow continually, so, they have to chew a lot in order to wear them down, otherwise they'll grow too long and cause them problems. So, I will need to make sure Carrots gets lots of hay to chew on. Apple tree branches maple or willow branches are also great for them to gnaw.

Rabbits also eat grass chard celery chicory watercress endive green beans (without seeds) pepper borage artichoke rocket cucumber and beetroot leaves Chinese cabbage clover and dandelion.

To a lesser extent, you can also feed your pet rabbit some spinach cabbage tomatoes broccoli carrots (but not too much as its’s high in sugar), lettuce (green leaves only) or fresh herbs. My bunny’s favourite food is spinach cucumber and kiwi .

You should never feed bunnies vegetables like: cauliflower potato onion or garlic . Similarly, it is not good to give them too much fruit because of the high amounts of sugar content that can be harmful. Instead, use fruit as a reward for your rabbit, and only give it very occasionally.

You should also avoid feeding your rabbit dried fruit and seeds, such as sunflower seeds dog or cat food and legumes or any cooked food or cheese or dairy products.

You must take your bunny to the vet frequently to get a check-up. Carrots is going for his check-up next week too. You also need to brush its hair regularly.

And take it out for a while each day so it can have some exercise.

Bunnies like to play games too 1. Throw and fetch In this game, the bunny is the thrower you are the fetcher. Bunnies love to pick up toys with their teeth, then toss them off with a flick. Provide toys which can be easily gripped such as toy birds. Increase their interest by stacking hay into cardboard tubes. Roll them towards your pet. Once the bunny gets the drift, it will begin picking them up and tossing the back at you. 2. Logic games Rabbits are naturally intelligent and most curious. They enjoy logical challenges such as pulling levers and opening boxes. There are numerous logic toys at pet stores, to begin with.

3. Treat Tease This is the most common bunny game, and certainly the most enjoyable. Hold a treat such as a food pellet in a loosely closed fist. Close both fists and hold them both out. Let your pet smell out which fist has the treat. Always give your pet the treat once it correctly figures out the right fist. 4. Peek a boo Yes, this is a fun game for bunnies. Throw a small towel that covers the bunny. Watch as she struggles to get loose. Make sure you avoid suffocating materials! Bunnies are so much fun!

I love my little Carrots! I’m looking forward to getting to know my little friend better. I am going to have lots of fun looking after my bunny, watching him eat, sleep and grow…and teaching him tricks and playing games. But most of all I love cuddling him! I think he loves my cuddles too!

The End