Sparsely hairy, almost naked, but with a little white beard on his snout: What is behind the “Kung Fu Rabbit”?
We received a request about a very interesting looking creature. The photo is circulating under various names – in German, English and other languages. At one point it is said that the animal is a baby bunny, and at another time it is said to be a baby wombat.
This photo is about:

Hello mimikama team! Attached are two photos that I've seen several times on FB but I'm actually not sure whether this is a healthy baby animal... maybe you'll find my request rather ridiculous... then just ignore it VG
The fact check
The cute little animal is a lionhead rabbit. So it belongs to a dwarf rabbit breed. It comes from a Swedish breeding and can seen as a whole series of pictures on the official website .
In 2013 the breeders posted the following status post:
The little one was named Biran. In another posting, the breeder explains that he suffered from a genetic defect and that he later grew fur, but also that he died. Unfortunately, we cannot say exactly when at this point.
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In the photo requested, the ram was about 3 months old. His breeder is aware of the high level of popularity of her photos. (See here and here )
Details about the genetic defect
This anomaly occurs occasionally in rabbits. The website The Wonderful World of Pet Rabbits reports several cases in which baby rabbits were also affected by hairlessness. However, some of them died relatively early.
Hereditary defects of skin and fur
Hereditary defects can lead to missing or inadequate hair growth, and skin stiffness is also possible. Little is known about the “baldness gene”. It is so called because the previously normally developed young animals suddenly lose fur on their foreheads and then fur continues to fall out; the rabbits are often almost “naked” or only have individual tufts of fur. This makes them look pitifully wrinkled and sick. Interestingly, a few weeks later these rabbits develop completely healthy, normal fur and look like healthy animals. Rex rabbits or mixed breeds are particularly often affected. Usually only a few rabbits in a litter are equipped with the bald gene.
Source: Rabbit Meadow
, some rabbits affected by the “baldness gene” develop normally after initial difficulties Despite this, in most cases these rabbits are described as “weak and fragile”.
Conclusion:
The animal was a lionhead rabbit that suffered from a genetic defect that caused its hairlessness or sparse hair. His appearance is definitely “different” – of course people use that for their entertainment and have been doing so since 2013.
Statements like “Baby bunnies look like a Kung Fu master” don’t entirely apply, but apply to this particular rabbit. (Although a hare is not a rabbit and not a wombat either...)
In any case, inquiries like these are extremely important. The right information, the right background: this is the only way to avoid fake news!
You might also be interested in: Colorful chicks and bunnies sold as toys!
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Notes:
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