Unusual Pair of Bunnies Born
United Kingdom, http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk
Ben and Rosie Reynolds cuddle the newest additions to the family – a distinctive duo of baby bunnies.
The friendly balls of fluff are almost unique from other rabbits because one has only one ear, while the other has none at all.
Ben (10) and his eight-year-old sister were amazed when their pet
rabbit gave birth to the unusual pair in a litter of four.
And the youngsters were so smitten with the rare rabbits that they persuaded their parents, Emma and Andrew, to keep them instead of selling them on.
In fact, they were so excited about the bunnies, they lovingly named them Van Gogh – after the famous artist who chopped off one of his ears -– and Cloth Ears.
Mum Emma (34), from Peakirk, near Peterborough, said: "We couldn't believe it when we saw the two rabbits, they just looked so funny.
"We were planning to find the rabbits a new home, but Rosie and Ben have taken them into their hearts, and there is no way we can let them go now.
"I just thought it was so strange to have two normal rabbits and then these two distinctive rabbits in one litter.
"We thought it might be because the rabbits were different breeds and that might have affected their ears."
The unique pair are the offspring of a lop-eared rabbit and a common domestic bunny, but despite their odd appearance, they seem to be settling into their new surroundings.
Zoe North, the owner and head veterinary surgeon of the hi-tech New Lodge veterinary centre, which offers five-star treatment to poorly pets in Polebrook, near Oundle, was intrigued by the Reynolds' rabbits.
She said: "This is certainly extremely unusual, and not something I have come across before.
"However, genetic mistakes can happen, and I have seen rabbits missing parts of legs, for example.
"It is unlikely that the cross breeding of rabbits would lead to defects like this though, it would be a genetic mix-up in the development of the babies.
"To have two such rabbits in one litter is very strange."
Ben and Rosie Reynolds cuddle the newest additions to the family – a distinctive duo of baby bunnies.
The friendly balls of fluff are almost unique from other rabbits because one has only one ear, while the other has none at all.
Ben (10) and his eight-year-old sister were amazed when their pet
rabbit gave birth to the unusual pair in a litter of four.
And the youngsters were so smitten with the rare rabbits that they persuaded their parents, Emma and Andrew, to keep them instead of selling them on.
In fact, they were so excited about the bunnies, they lovingly named them Van Gogh – after the famous artist who chopped off one of his ears -– and Cloth Ears.
Mum Emma (34), from Peakirk, near Peterborough, said: "We couldn't believe it when we saw the two rabbits, they just looked so funny.
"We were planning to find the rabbits a new home, but Rosie and Ben have taken them into their hearts, and there is no way we can let them go now.
"I just thought it was so strange to have two normal rabbits and then these two distinctive rabbits in one litter.
"We thought it might be because the rabbits were different breeds and that might have affected their ears."
The unique pair are the offspring of a lop-eared rabbit and a common domestic bunny, but despite their odd appearance, they seem to be settling into their new surroundings.
Zoe North, the owner and head veterinary surgeon of the hi-tech New Lodge veterinary centre, which offers five-star treatment to poorly pets in Polebrook, near Oundle, was intrigued by the Reynolds' rabbits.
She said: "This is certainly extremely unusual, and not something I have come across before.
"However, genetic mistakes can happen, and I have seen rabbits missing parts of legs, for example.
"It is unlikely that the cross breeding of rabbits would lead to defects like this though, it would be a genetic mix-up in the development of the babies.
"To have two such rabbits in one litter is very strange."
posted by John | 2:33 PM
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