Silver Marten Rabbit: Overview, Quick Facts, Behavior & Care Guide

The Silver Marten rabbit is one of the smallest commercial breeds. It was created by combining chinchillas and tan rabbits. This was done to improve the fur of the Chinchillas, but it ended up being the foundation of a completely new breed of rabbit. Silver Marten rabbits were first created in 1921. They are among the most beautiful and softest of all domestic rabbits.

Silver Marten Rabbit Overview

There are about 350 domesticated rabbit breeds, but the Silver Marten rabbits are the most well-known. These bunnies are beautiful with soft, black coats and silver undersides.

Although Silver Marten rabbits are a rare breed, they have been around since the 1900s. They are considered small for rabbits of commercial body types and can reach a maximum weight of 9.5 pounds.

The first club formed around the breed in 1927, shortly after its creation. Soon, other colors were accepted including blue and sable. These rabbits are great pets but they are most commonly used in agricultural and pet shows. Their beautiful appearance and elegance often see them at the “best in Show” table. Even though they aren’t kept often, they are beloved and loved by many people. Because they are tasty, their meat is often used for meat production. They can produce a lot of meat at 8 pounds on average.

They are well-known for their resilience and hardiness. They can withstand both hot and cold temperatures.

Quick facts about the Silver Marten Rabbit

Species Name:	Oryctolagus cuniculus
Family:	Leporidae
Care Level	Minimal
Temperature:	Everything except extreme cold or hot
Temperament:	Playful, not timid
Color Form:	Silver
Lifespan:	5-8 Years
Size:	6.5-9.5 pounds
Diet:	Herbivore
Minimum Enclosure Size:	12 square feet
Configuration of a cage:	Open-air enclosure
Compatibility:	Families, singles, seniors, first-time pet owners

What Does a Silver Marten Rabbit Cost?

Silver Marten rabbits are not easy to find. They aren’t expensive if you can find them. A quality Silver Marten rabbit will cost you between $30 and $60 on average. You might spend more for rabbits that have a proven lineage and won agricultural and pet shows.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

Silver Marten rabbits make great pets. They are calm and playful, and easy to take care of. Silver Martens are more timid than other rabbits, but they will become more comfortable around you. They love to play and will often throw their toys around the enclosure when they feel comfortable.

Appearance and Varieties

There are four types of Silver Marten rabbits. There are four types: sable, blue, chocolate and chocolate. They will all have silver or white undersides including their belly, chins, tails, and tails. White or silver will also be found around the ears, in the nostrils, and inside the ears. Some tickling might be visible on the sides of the rabbit.

They have very soft, shiny hair and tiny ears that stick up to their heads. Their striking appearance often wins them the best show prize.

How to Care for Silver Marten Rabbit

Habitat, Cage Conditions, and Setup

There are some things that you should know if you plan to keep a Silver Marten Rabbit.

Space

Silver Marten rabbits require a lot of space. Their enclosure should be at least 12 feet square. They also need to have a safe area where they can exercise and stretch their legs. The area should be at least 30 feet in size. Silver Marten rabbits can be kept inside or out. They are strong and resilient and can withstand all weather conditions. However, your Silver Marten will require a dry and safe area to escape predators and inclement weather.

There are two great options for pet owners: rabbit condos and puppy pens. While puppy pens provide ample space and are easy to maintain, rabbit condos offer multiple living areas for your rabbit in a small space.

Substrate

You will need to make sure that your rabbit’s enclosure is clean. Newspaper can be used to line the bottom. A soft substrate can provide your rabbit with comfort. A great substrate is made from recycled paper that has been shredded. It’s also easy to clean and affordable.

Lighting

Silver Marten rabbits do not require special lighting. If your rabbit is outside, you can rely on the sunlight or the light from your home. This will ensure your rabbit follows the natural patterns of the seasons.

Are Silver Marten Rabbits compatible with other pets?

Silver Marten rabbits can get along with many animals. They are also shy and timid, so it can be difficult to get your rabbit to talk to other animals.

They have been known to become friends with many different species. They are known to be friendly with many pets, including chickens, dogs, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, and other animals.

You should be careful when you introduce your rabbit to any other animals, especially natural predators such as cats or dogs. These animals will make your rabbit nervous and may not mix well with your cat or dog.

How to feed your Silver Marten Rabbit

Silver Marten rabbits can be herbivores by nature. Their diets aren’t varied. A Silver Marten’s diet is dominated by hay. A lack of hay can cause incisors to grow too large for your rabbit’s face and jaw. This will need to be addressed by a veterinarian.

Hay can’t provide all the nutrients that your rabbit needs. Leafy greens, fruits and vegetables can make up 30% of the rabbit’s diet.

However, you should be cautious about the fruits and vegetables that you give your Silver Marten. Some foods, such as iceberg lettuce, don’t provide many nutrients. Some foods, such as fruits, contain too much sugar for your rabbit to eat. These foods can be given to your rabbit as treats or in small amounts.

Keeping Your Silver Marten Rabbit Healthy

Silver Marten rabbits are generally considered resilient and hardy. Two common problems do affect Silver Marten rabbits: ear mites, and flystrike.

Flystrike occurs when the fur of your rabbit is dirty. This is most common during summer. Your rabbit’s fur will be soiled by flies, which will lay eggs. Your rabbit will be eaten alive by the larvae as soon as they hatch. You should seek immediate medical attention. This can lead to loss of appetite, decreased waste and obvious pain.

Silver Martens can also be susceptible to ear mites, but they are easy to treat. To maintain optimal health, it is recommended that each Silver Marten be given a small amount of deworming paste in the spring and fall.

Breeding

It is very easy to breed rabbits. You don’t need to do much if you keep the male and female rabbits together. They’ll probably take care of everything for you. You’ll only need to do two things if your male and female rabbits are kept apart.

The male must be placed in the female’s enclosure first. You should never place the male in the female’s enclosure. Females are territorial and might attack any male she perceives as an intruder.

When your rabbits have become one, you can just let them be. For a while, they will likely run around one another. If the female feels the need, she may lift her tail and cause the male to mount her, before falling off. This will occur several times. After that, you can take the female out and place her back in her space.

To increase your chances of having a large litter, you should bring the female to the male approximately 10 hours after the first breeding. The breeding stimulates ovulation in female rabbits so the second breeding will have a higher chance of success.

Are Silver Marten Rabbits suitable for you?

Silver Marten rabbits are great pets. A Silver Marten is a great choice if you are looking for a cuddly, soft pet that doesn’t require much care. They are stunningly beautiful and easy to care for. They are not the most popular breed of rabbit, so it might be difficult to find one.

However, Silver Martens can be very enjoyable pets. You can enter them in shows to increase your chances of getting a solid placement. A Silver Marten is likely to cost less than $60, but you will still need to ensure safety and adequate space. Food is simple and requires little thought, as 70% of Silver Martens’ diet is hay.