The Velvet-Coated Rabbit That Surprises Every New Owner

Quick Take

• Calling an Otter Rex a breed is one of the most common mistakes new owners make, and learning the truth reshapes everything you thought you knew about this rabbit. Discover the variety truth →
• Rex rabbits come in 16 recognized colors, yet only a handful officially qualify as Otter Rex. The reason is more restrictive than most people expect. See the four official colors →
• Their daily schedule surprises almost every new owner, and once you understand it, it completely changes how you bond with them. Explore their activity patterns →

Otter Rex rabbits are among the most striking rabbits in the world. Thanks to their soft, dense coats and dramatic coloration, there truly is no other rabbit breed that looks quite as remarkable. It is no wonder that the Otter Rex is a highly sought-after rabbit among both rabbit enthusiasts and pet owners alike.

What Is an Otter Rex Rabbit?

A Rex rabbit is a breed of rabbit known for its soft, short, luxurious coat. This coat type was first discovered in a litter of wild gray rabbits in France over 100 years ago. The coat results from the recessive rex gene and was considered an abnormality in rabbits with this fur type.

It did not take long for breeders to make Rex rabbits mainstream. The breed was first on exhibit in 1924 at the Paris International Rabbit Show. Not long after, it became a sought-after breed, with a variety of colorations created through selective breeding.

Otter Rex rabbits are a color variety of Rex rabbits. Rather than being a single color or spotted, Otter Rex rabbits have a solid color on the top of their bodies, with lighter fur on their bellies, under their chins, inside their ears, around their eyes, and on their tails. This variety of Rex rabbit was only recognized in recent years, making them one of the newest members of the Rex rabbit family.

Why Otter Rex Rabbits Are Not Their Own Breed

Otter Rex rabbits are named for their unique fur coloration and patterns, but they are not a separate breed. This can be confusing because Otter Rex rabbits look quite different from other Rex rabbits.

Otter Rex rabbits can be both the Rex and Mini Rex breeds. All Rex rabbits have soft, velvety fur, but Otter Rex rabbits are distinguished by lighter coloration on the belly, chin, and around the eyes. Therefore, both Rex and Mini Rex rabbits can have the Otter Rex coloration.

Recognized Otter Rex Rabbits

Rex rabbits can come in a variety of colors. In total, there are 16 Rex color varieties. The coloration of each litter depends on the coloration of the parents. While there is no guarantee that a litter will have the desired coloration, certain color combinations in the parents can increase the likelihood of specific outcomes.

The different Rex colors include:

• Black
• Blue
• Broken
• Californian
• Castor
• Chinchilla
• Chocolate
• Lilac
• Lynx
• Opal
• Otter
• Red
• Sable
• Seal
• White (REW)
• White (BEW)

With all these Rex colorations, a wide range of Otter Rex colors might be expected. However, only four recognized Otter Rex rabbit color varieties exist. They are as follows:

• Black
• Blue
• Chocolate
• Lilac

Black and Chocolate Otter Rex rabbits, according to the National Rex Rabbit Club, are distinguished by having cream coloration on their chin, belly, and tail. This same coloration is found around the nose. The inside of the ears and the area around the eyes tend to be a darker tan color.

Blue and Lilac Otter Rex rabbits also have a cream coloration on their chin, belly, and tail. The nose tends to be a darker tan, while the inside of the ears and the area around the eyes are cream-colored.

The Black Otter Rex is the most common. Females can weigh up to 11 pounds, while males are smaller, weighing around 9 pounds.

Otter Rex Rabbits Are Pets, Not Wild Animals

Otter Rex rabbits have never been wild animals. Instead, they have been bred over several decades to have the striking coloration and fur they possess.

Rex rabbits were first bred in France in 1919, according to the National Rex Rabbit Club. However, Otter Rex rabbits were not recognized until much later. The first was the Black Otter Rex, which was recognized in 1988. The expansion of more colors did not happen until 2008, when Blue, Lilac, and Chocolate Otter Rex rabbits became more commonplace.

Given their calm demeanor, lack of fear of predators, and coloration—which would not camouflage them in the wild—it is no surprise that Otter Rex rabbits are domesticated rather than wild. If an Otter Rex were found running loose, it would be a pet and not a wild rabbit.

Why Are Otter Rex Rabbits Sought After?

Unlike other Rex rabbits, Otter Rex rabbits are rarer. Because of this, they are highly sought after.

Otter Rex rabbits are incredibly striking. The deep hues on the top of their bodies contrast with the lighter fawn or cream colors on their bellies, chins, ears, around the eyes, and tails, making them very popular among Rex rabbit owners.

Aside from the looks, Otter Rex rabbits also have a very sweet demeanor. They enjoy being around people, are very curious, yet are calm. Their busiest times of the day are dawn and dusk, so they enjoy sitting in laps and napping during the day and will not cause a ruckus at night.

While there are health conditions to be concerned about, including stomach and dental issues, as well as brittle toenails, Otter Rex rabbits tend to be fairly healthy. For all these reasons, many people looking for a pet rabbit consider Otter Rex rabbits as a possible addition to their family.