What did natural selection do to a rabbit?
Natural selection caused them to go through genetic changes. Rabbits in warmer regions grew longer ears and a leaner body core. The external part of the ear, also called the pinnae, has thermoregulatory functions.
What can you do with a transgenic rabbit?
Transgenic and genetic breeds are also available to study genetic predispositions including inherited hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, glaucoma, diabetes, and for the production of polyclonal antibodies and biopharmaceuticals.
Why do rabbits go through a breeding cycle?
Rabbits go through a breeding cycle which should be followed strictly in order to produce healthy babies. There are also many rules to be followed when breeding rabbits in order to produce the best rabbits possible.
What makes a rabbit mature faster when alone?
A rabbit will mature faster when it is alone. Also, they will not fight, and will not continue to breed, eliminating unexpected results. Before beginning the breeding process, check the bottom of the cages for diarrhea or loose stool. A rabbit should not be bred if they have a health condition that has not been treated.
How does the color of a rabbit change?
Some of the genes change the color of the rabbit, such as black to chocolate, and others change how the colors are arranged, such as changing chestnut to otter. It’s really quite simple. Each rabbit has two genes per “set” or locus.
How is the production of pigment in rabbit fur controlled?
The production of pigment in rabbit fur is controlled by two genes. One gene controls whether any pigment is made. This gene has three alleles. Allele A codes for pigment. Allele A and tail are pigmented. A third allele, a, fails to code for a functional tyrosinase. The other gene controls the density of pigment in the fur.
How can you tell if a rabbit has a recessive gene?
More information on the dilute gene is available at this page. When a rabbit shows a dominant gene but carries a recessive one, it often makes no difference in its appearance. You often don’t know that it is carrying a recessive gene without looking at the pedigree or breeding records.
How are genes related to the physical aspects of bunnies?
They control everything about the physical aspects of our bunnies, from fur to color, to body type to health, even sometimes to traits like personality and mothering ability. Sometimes we can identify specific genes that are causing a trait, such as the Blue-eyed white gene. Other times we have a genetic problem like pinched hindquarters.
