Havana Rabbit: Temperament and Care

1 Appearance and Types

Also called the Hotot or panda rabbit, the Havana is white all over with black fur only around the eyes and V-shaped ears. Two types exist: the dwarf (adult 1 to 2 kg) and the large (adult 7 to 8 kg), which look alike as babies. The dwarf is a bred specialty and costs more, so beware sellers passing off the large type as the dwarf.

2 Diet by Type

The large type eats much like any rabbit: a pelleted feed as the staple plus vegetables and grass such as carrots, carrot tops, timothy, and plantain. Control portions, since watery produce can cause diarrhea.

The dwarf has a narrower diet, mainly hay, pellets, and a little fresh fruit and vegetable. Because it is small and eats little, feed small amounts often.

3 Key Traits and Housing

Timid and easily startled. Loud sudden noises cause stress, so keep the environment quiet.

Cold-hardy but heat-sensitive. The dense coat insulates against cold, but poor sweating makes heat dangerous; cool the rabbit promptly in hot weather to prevent heatstroke.

Likes clean, dry surroundings. Damp, dirty spaces breed pathogens and raise disease risk, so clean the enclosure often.

Burrower by nature. Build the hutch with this in mind, and house multiple rabbits in separate cages.

Chews constantly. Supply abundant hay, which both wears the teeth and supports healthy gut movement.