Rabbit Color Genetics
- Candace Rogers
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Welcome to Mora Angora’s guide to the fascinating, sometimes frustrating and always surprising :-), world of rabbit color genetics! Whether you’re a pet owner, fiber artist, or breeder, understanding how colors are inherited can help you choose the perfect bunny or plan a breeding program.
Our family-raised, pedigreed English Angoras come in a variety of stunning colors like fox, solid, magpie, and harlequin, each with unique genetic history. Let’s dive into the basics of rabbit color genetics and explore what makes these colors so different.
The Basics of Rabbit Color Genetics
Rabbit coat colors are determined by a combination of genes, each contributing to patterns, shades, and markings. These genes are inherited from parents, with specific combinations producing the vibrant colors we see in English Angoras. The primary gene series controlling color include:
A Series (Agouti, Tan, Self): Determines the coat pattern.
Agouti (A_): Creates a banded hair shaft with ticking, seen in colors like chestnut or opal.
Tan (at_): Produces tan-patterned colors like otter or fox, with a solid body and lighter markings.
Self (aa): Results in solid colors like black or blue, with no banding.
B Series (Black, Brown): Controls base pigment.
Black (B_): Dominant, producing black-based colors.
Brown (bb): Recessive, leading to chocolate-based hues.
C Series (Color Intensity): Affects pigment strength.
Full Color (C_): Produces vibrant colors.
Chinchilla (chd_): Lightens colors, creating silvery tones like magpie.
Himalayan (ch_): Restricts color to points (ears, nose, feet), seen in pointed white.
Albino (cc): Removes all pigment, resulting in white with red eyes.
D Series (Dilution): Modifies color density.
Dense (D_): Full-strength colors like black or chestnut.
Dilute (dd): Lighter versions, like blue (diluted black) or lilac (diluted chocolate).
E Series (Extension of Color): Controls color distribution.
Full Extension (E_): Allows full color across the body.
Japanese Harlequin (ej_): Creates alternating color bands, as in harlequin patterns.
Non-extension (ee): Produces red or cream colors, like tort or fawn.
Each rabbit inherits two alleles (one from each parent) for these genes, and their combination determines the visible color. For example, a rabbit with atat (tan pattern) and BBdd (black-based, dilute) would be a blue otter, with soft blue fur and creamy tan markings.
This particular bunny's genome is ataBbCCdde. Dad is a black Otter and mom is a booted lilac torte.
Alright! Now that you are familiar with bunny color genetics, below is a black magpie bunny. I provided his and his mom's genome, can you tell me what his dad's would be?
The above bunny's genome is AABBChdChdDdejej. His mom is a black magpie and his dad is a blue based harlequin. Can you tell me what his dad's genome would need to be in order for him to produce magpie offspring?!
As always, reach out with questions! :-)
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