Rabbits are a wonderful addition to any household. They are loved for their unique personalities, hoppy legs, twitchy noses, and iconic ears. There are many breeds of rabbits, and the miniature lion lop is one of the cutest.
Since its creation, the rabbit’s charming woolly mane and small stature have won many hearts. It is important to be educated about this small breed of rabbit before you decide to keep one.
Here are some quick facts about the Miniature Lion Lop
| Species Name: | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Family: | Leporidae |
| Care Level | Be gentle, pay attention, enjoy play, and be free |
| Temperature: | Cool |
| Temperament: | Friendly, friendly, social, even-tempered, and active |
| Color Form: | Steel, opal, and iron-gray. |
| Lifespan: | Maximum 17 years |
| Size: | Small |
| Diet: | Fresh grass, hay, vegetables, grains, and plenty of clean water. |
| Minimum Tank Size | 4 |
| Setup of a Tank | You can have indoor quarters, and natural light is available. |
| Compatibility: | Cats |
Miniature Lion Lop Overview
In the UK, the Miniature Lion Lop rabbit was created in the 2000s. Jane Bramley, a breeder, created this beautiful breed by crossing a Lionhead rabbit with a small-eared Mini Lop bunny.
The Miniature Lion Lop’s long, beautiful mane is due to the dominating gene, the Lionhead. The Mini Lion Lop can be created by crossing the Lionhead with either a Mini Lop or Lionhead/Mini Lop hybrid or Dwarf Lops.
This breed was officially recognized by the British Rabbit Council (BRC), and Jane Bramley actively supported it. It has been imported to the USA since the 2000s but the American Rabbit Breeders Association is yet to recognize the breed.
The mini Lionhead Rabbit is a well-built, well-sculpted, small, broad, and muscular animal. It is friendly, affectionate, and enjoys human interaction.
A Miniature Lion Lop Rabbit is a great choice for a pet because of its social and teddy-bear appearance. It does require constant grooming due to its mane.
What is the cost of miniature lion lops?
Miniature Lion Lops are a relatively new breed that commands exorbitant prices.
Prices for these items vary from one state to the next in the United States. One can cost anywhere from $30 to $200. The real costs come after you purchase the pet. It can cost as much as $50 per month to keep the pet in its home, feed, toys, and treats. The price for a miniature lion-lop in the UK is between PS30 and PS100.
It is an exotic pet and requires insurance. Additional health costs can run up to $25 per month. You will also need to pay for grooming costs for miniature lion lops. You may also realize that your home may need to be replaced if it becomes too scratchy or chewy.
Temperament and Typical Behavior
Mini Lion Lop is a social, curious, and friendly rabbit. It hates restrictive enclosures. This rabbit breed is intelligent and good-natured, despite being an attention-seeking animal that thrives on human attention. Because they are athletic, it loves to run and play with toys.
Mini Lion Lops enjoy being outdoors and getting to know other rabbits. You will often see them grooming and playing with each other.
Appearance and Varieties
Appearance
Mini Lion Lop is one of the smallest breeds of rabbits and it weighs from 1.5 kg to 3 to 3.5 lbs. This miniature version of the Lionhead Rabbit has robust, stocky, and small hind limbs to fit its tiny frame.
The front limbs of this rabbit are short and straight as well as their back, which is plump and short. The chest of this rabbit is wide, deep, and curvy, connecting to its broad shoulders.
It has a straight, furry tail and a stunningly furry coat. The neck is nearly invisible but the head is large with broad cheeks and big, bright eyes. The most striking feature of its ears is its woolly, thick, round tips and large, broad ears. They flop down on the heads’ surfaces.
Coat
The Mini Lion Lop’s hair is average in length and soft, thick, and dense with rollback and dense guard hairs. The fur is about 2-3 inches long around the head.
When the mane falls between the ears, it forms a V-shaped shape behind the pet’s neck. The rabbit’s legs and paws are covered by woolly fur. A little bit of the fur extends around the thighs.
Colors
Mini Lion Lops were originally produced in a variety of colors. Miniature Lion Lop breeders have a few restrictions on the color of their Mini Lion Lops. However, many enthusiasts are still trying to standardize the colors.
You can have your rabbit in any color you like, as long as the breeder accepts it. The UK recognizes the following colors: White, red or blue-eyed, agouti (or black), seal point, beige, and butterfly; iron-gray steel; smoke, Siamese siamese sable, light, medium and dark; black otter, fawn, and black fox.
How to Care for Miniature Lion Lops
Mini Lion Lops make great pets but they can be a bit fussy so you need to take extra care. Mini Lion Lops are very affectionate and love attention. If you don’t have the time or energy to care for them, it might be worth considering getting one. Here are some things to think about if you decide that you want one.
Cage/Enclosure
Mini Lion lops, although they are very small, are extremely jumpy and require lots of space to run, jump, and exercise. You should therefore make a special enclosure for rabbits or a cage just for them.
Indoor quarters for the Mini Lion Lop should be 3-4 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and 3 feet high. You can improve air circulation by using cables for the base and not glass.
Your pet’s safety and protection should be assured by the enclosure. It is important to keep the Mini Lion Lops male and female in separate cages.
Bedding
To provide your rabbit a safe and comfortable environment, place a board over the cables to keep its paws from getting under the boards. Make sure your rabbit sleeps on rabbit-recommended grasses and covers. Avoid using hay or grass from unknown sources. If you do use wood shavings, be sure to avoid scented pinewood bedding and cedar bedding. They can cause smog which can harm the rabbits’ glands.
Temperature
To avoid blisters and summer heat, build a shaded cage and keep them out of direct sunlight. Mini Lion Lops have furry coats. They need to be kept at a lower temperature. To prevent freezing, heat the cage in the winter.
Lighting
Mini Lion Lops need sunlight to thrive. You should ensure that your Mini Lion Lops are exposed to sufficient natural light to get Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. If you keep it in a dark cage, make sure you take it out and let them have light every day.
Are Miniature Lion Lops compatible with other pets?
Mini Lion Lops can be curious and spontaneous. Mini Lion Lops get along well with other bunnies and they love being in groups and in pairs in their cages. They are friendly with family members and will welcome house guests.
Miniature Lion Lops are great friends with cats and other family pets, especially if they’re calm, gentle, and mild. The rabbits must be trained and have patience as some dogs and kitties can bully them.
It is important to introduce your bunny gradually to pets and to monitor their behavior, especially dogs. Dogs can become too aggressive around bunnies and can get overexcited.
How to feed your Miniature Lion Loop
It is important that they eat more than just lettuce and carrots. They should be fed vegetables, grains, fresh hay, fruits, and some pellets.
The grass is good for their digestive and dental health. It would be best to slowly introduce fresh hay, such as orchard and timothy, to allow their digestive system to adjust. Bunnies have sensitive stomachs.
However, they should eat grains every day. Mini Lion Lops should eat 75% of their vegetables, which should include leafy greens, kale, and lettuce.
25% of the remaining portion can be vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and summer squash. Limit starchy fruits and vegetables, and limit their use as treats once in a while. Avoid giving them nuts or seeds, as they can affect their sensitive digestive systems.
Keeping Your Miniature Lion Lop Healthy
Regularly check your bunny’s dental health and make sure that any dental problems such as overgrown teeth or other issues are addressed. A fibrous diet and Gnaw toys like KAYTEE Carousel Carrot Chew Toy can help to maintain strong teeth.
Overfeeding your Mini Lion Lop can make it overweight, difficult to groom, and even cause flystrike. Its enclosure’s hygiene is another concern.
Take out the old bedding and wash it with warm, clean water. Then replace the bedding with new bedding. Lops can be groomed by themselves, but they do not need to be bathed often. Instead, brush their coats with a soft-bristled toothbrush as often as possible.
Make sure your pet has been vaccinated and treated for parasites and pests. These exotic pets may require you to outsource veterinary services. Most vets are familiar with dogs and cats.
Breeding
Mini Lion Lops’ ovulation can be induced by sexual provocation. At 4 to 5 years old, Mini Lion Lops reach sexual maturity. Males require more time to mature, and they usually enter adult sperm count in 6 to 7 months.
Mini Lion loops, females, are territorial and must be brought to the enclosure of a male to mat. After seeing the female, the male immediately climbs onto her and performs pelvic driving, which ends in “dropping off”.
The act can last up to 30 seconds and may continue for a few more. When they are done, you should separate the couple. Some people allow for more litter to make the litter double.
Are Miniature Lion Lops suitable for you?
A Mini Lion Lop can be a great investment if you have the time. It is not suitable for young children, so be careful. These bunnies need gentle handling. They might be uncomfortable around children, which could lead to scratching.
Your Mini Lion Lop may take some time to get to know you, but it will soon become a very affectionate rabbit once you allow it to be free, strike it gently, and give it love. A Miniature Lion Lop will live for five to ten years if it has a happy home and is given good care, food, and attention. Some may live up to 12 years.
How large do little lion lops grow to be?
3-3½lbs The Miniature Lion Lop is a tiny rabbit that weighs 1.5-1.6kg (3-12lbs). Mini Lion Lops are stocky, with a short, thick-set body, rounded haunches, and short, powerful legs. The head is large and has a sharply curved profile, as well as big, thick ears that drop down beside the head.
Are Mini Lop rabbits aggressive?
Mini Lops, on the other hand, do not bite as a first response. They are no more prone to biting than other breeds as long as they have plenty of connection with their people, plenty of exercise, and plenty of activities to keep their brains active.
Do rabbits have baths?
Rabbits do not require routine bathing, and in fact, frequent washing, with or without shampoo, strips the rabbit’s fur of its natural oils, which aids in the maintenance of the rabbit’s coat. Bathing is also very stressful for rabbits, with several possible and significant risks.
Do Mini Lop rabbits have a lot of poop?
Yes. Rabbits generally generate 200-300 pellets every day. It indicates that their digestive system is in good functional order. However, if your rabbit suddenly starts pooping more than normal, or if the size, shape, or substance of their excrement changes, a trip to the clinic may be in order.
What should a Mini Lop rabbit eat?
Provide a consistent supply of high-quality fresh grass and grass hay (approximately 80% of the total diet), such as Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow, or Ryegrass hays. Allow for lots of fresh leafy greens and vegetables (10-20% of the total diet).
Are Mini Lops suitable for beginners?
Mini Lop, Mini Rex, Dutch, and Polish are other popular breeds for new pet rabbit owners. All four are little breeds with soft personalities.
What causes Mini Lops to bite?
Rabbits bite to demonstrate authority, guard their food, or protect themselves from predators. For no apparent reason, a dominating bunny may bite an owner. When their owner moves too close to the rabbit’s territory, indoor rabbits may bite at their hands and/or feet.
How long can you leave a Mini Lop alone?
Anything more than 24 hours alone is an inappropriate amount of time for a rabbit. Your pet will be nervous towards the end of the second day.
What is the calmest rabbit breed?
The Rex Rabbit is the calmest pet rabbit breed. The fluffy, velvety Rex bunny is first on our list. This rabbit is quite gentle and relaxed back, making him a favorite of small children. They don’t mind sitting on the couch and taking pets from their parents and human siblings. Their coat is shorter and denser than that of other breeds.
How old are lion lop rabbits?
7-9 years. Lionhead rabbits are calm, clever rabbits who enjoy being the center of attention. Experts believe they aren’t suited for households with little children since they may be unpredictable when scared or anxious.