The Silver Marten is a striking domestic rabbit breed known for its sleek black coat highlighted by shimmering silver markings. Originally developed in the U.S. in the 1920s, it’s both a show favorite and a charming pet.
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Silver Martens are lively and curious, often described as playful yet a bit shy at first. Once they feel safe, they enjoy interaction and can become quite affectionate with gentle handling.
This breed has a compact, muscular body with a short, soft, and glossy coat. Its signature look is the contrast between a deep-coloured base (like black, blue, chocolate, or sable) and bright silver markings on the belly, chin, eye circles, and under the tail.
The typical lifespan for a Silver Marten rabbit is between 5 and 8 years, although this can be extended to 8 - 12 years with optimal care, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Silver Martens have no breed-specific health issues and are generally hardy, but should be monitored for common rabbit concerns like overgrown teeth, GI stasis, and flystrike.
Despite their elegant look, Silver Martens were once nicknamed “the accident breed” because their unique markings came about unintentionally during Chinchilla rabbit breeding programs.
The breed originated as a genetic offshoot from the Chinchilla rabbit in the 1920s, when breeders noticed kits with unusual dark colouring. These were selectively bred to produce the distinct Silver Marten pattern recognized today.
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Size: Medium
Life span: Under 10 years
Exercise: More than 1 hour per day
Home size: Large
Coat length size: Short
Sheds: True