The Harlequin Rabbit Colors are a breed of domesticated rabbit that is classified as a small to the medium-sized animal.
They have an average weight of 4-5 pounds and come in a variety of colors. There are four recognized colors for this type of rabbit: black, blue, chocolate brown, and lilac.
The Black Harlequin has a white face with red eyespots on the sides. It also has dark ears tipped with gray or white and usually has some white on its front paws.
The Chocolate Brown Harlequin is typically brown all over with dark ears tipped in pinkish-tan or cream color.
But it can sometimes have orange eyespots on the side and patches of black scattered around the body, including the nose bridge and feet.
Harlequin Rabbit Characteristic
The Blue Harlequin has a white face with blue eyespots. It also has dark ears tipped in gray or white and usually white on its front paws.
The Lilac Harlequins are the rarest of all the colors because it is said that they don’t breed true to their color, which means that you could bear a Black Harlequin with a Lilac Harlequin and come out with a Blue or Chocolate Brown.
What Are Harlequin Rabbits Color?
Harlequin rabbit colors are genetically different mutations of the Dutch rabbit. Initially, they were kept for their fur production but later used to get new colors on rabbits.
They can be born in almost any color and pattern you find on rabbits. However, the original color of the Dutch rabbit is white or black with red eyes (so it’s also called the Dutch Harlequin), and it’s not a wild type of rabbit.
It was developed from white rabbits during several generations and therefore is classified as an albino, but it has dark eye color.
Harlequin rabbit colors
1. Black Harlequin
Black Harlequin has a white face with red eyespots on the sides. It also has dark ears tipped with gray or white and usually has some white on its front paws.
It is one of four recognized colors for this type of rabbit: black, blue, chocolate brown, and lilac.
2.Chocolate Brown Harlequin
The Chocolate Brown Harlequin is typically brown all over with dark ears tipped in pinkish-tan or cream color. But it can sometimes have orange eyespots on the side and patches of black scattered around the body, including the nose bridge and feet.
3. Lilac Harlequin
Lilac Harlequin is the rarest of all the colors because it is said that they don’t breed true to their color, which means that you could bear a Black Harlequin with a Lilac Harlequin and come out with a Blue or Chocolate Brown.
4. Blue Harlequin
The Blue Harlequin has a white face with blue eyespots. It also has dark ears tipped in gray or white and usually white on its front paws.
Is Harlequin a breed of a rabbit?
Yes, Harlequin is a breed of rabbit. The Dutch Harlequin was first bred in the 20th century from white rabbits and those with red eyes, which were crossed together many times to get the color combination of the Harlequin.
It looks more like a wild type of rabbit than other domestic breeds as they have black ears and a wild look. This color is rare, and therefore, they are not as expected or popular as other breeds of rabbits today.
Origin of Harlequin rabbits
Harlequin is also used for cats, dogs, and even fish that show similar color patterns. The color scheme on the harlequin rabbit comes from multiples of four (all you need to multiply any number by 4 to get another number in this scheme).
Like many other animals, rabbits can have different fur colors on each side of their body. For example, a black rabbit that is white on the other side is called a blue rabbit.
Uses of Harlequin rabbits
The Harlequin rabbit is mainly used to entertain people at fairs, petting zoos, and other places where people look after them. They are also kept as pets or used for the show.
It’s prevalent for breeders to sell their colored rabbits at a high price because of the rarity of colors produced in litters. But it’s not always the case, especially when breeders are just beginning to raise them commercially.
It is more likely that they will get the color of their parents than if they were bred by accident or with unknown origins.
Conclusion
Harlequin rabbits are one of the most exciting rabbit breeds. This breed is characterized by a white base with patches of black and brown on its fur, which gives them an eye-catching appearance.
But what makes this breed so captivating? The answer might surprise you! It’s because they have a gene mutation that causes harlequin coloration in all parts of its body.
In other words, these beautiful creatures lack melanin pigment cells – meaning it has no dark coloring whatsoever to create contrast between light and dark areas!
