This fluffy ball is actually a rabbit – the Angora rabbit from which the silky and soft Angora wool is harvested.
The Angora rabbit is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, believed to have originated from Turkey. The story goes back to the early 18th century, when some sightseeing sailors were put into a Turkish port then called Angora. The sailors found the shawls worn by the native women to be remarkable for their beauty, fineness and silkiness. So before the sailors left Angora they secured some of the Angora rabbits to take back to France. The French claim the Angora rabbits were first recorded in France in the Encyclopedia of 1765. In any event, it was the French who first saw the commercial possibilities of Angora wool and began to manufacture this type of wool into yarn. Aside from their commercial use, the rabbits became popular pets with French royalty and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of the century.
There are five breeds of angora rabbits. The English breed is commonly used as pets because of its cute, fluffy appearance. This is the breed that is pictured here in these images.
Other breeds include, French, a breed whose fur is popular for hand spinning; Giant, known for their intense coloration; Satin, known for their rich luster and coloration; and German. Depending on breed, angoras weigh between 6 and 12 pounds. They come in a variety of colors, often with specific color points on the ears, nose, and feet.
Images without mention of credit were culled from various forums and blogs. Original photographers unknown.
Sources: Nationalangorarabbitbreeders.com, Localharvest.org, Wikipedia
"The story goes back to the early 18th century, when some sightseeing sailors were put into a Turkish port then called Angora"
ReplyDeleteAngora is not a port! It lays several hundred kilometers away from the sea. It's the old name of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.
PLEASE DON'T BUY ANGORA CLOTHES!!!
ReplyDeleteDO YOU NOW HOW ANGORA IS HARVESTED? IT IS RIPPED FROM THE RABBITS ALIVE!! EVEN IF IT IS SHEARED OF THE ANIMALS ARE TREATED VERY CRUELLY. PLEASE WATCH THE PETA VIDEO AND HELP STOP THIS TORTURE!!!
http://youtu.be/PQW6uQgSMO0
>PETA
DeleteThey killed more animals than they claimed how much they saved.
PETA is about reducing harm. There is finite resource, and it's not enough to magically make a life for every animal out there. At some point they go to shelters. There is a finite number of shelters too. At some point, there's just too many. PETA's choice is save all they can, then humanely destroy -- or what, shove them into conditions so bad they would be cruel -- just to keep them alive?
DeleteThe hypocrisy stems from how PETA and their supporters will protest and harass municipal shelters for "killing innocent puppies and kittens" when, quite ironically, these shelters have a much higher ratio of rescued animals than PETA itself has. Over 90% of animals sent to PETA will be killed, given the resources the company had (enough to give $70k to a convicted arsonist at leads) you think they could save a few more animals. Your animal has better odds surviving at a puppy mill than in PETA.
DeletePETA are sensationalist attention grabbers on the verge of being called a radical cult. There are FAR more rational and, more importantly, effective animal rights groups nationally that you should be supporting.
Lets just skin PETA members. Ive always wanted a douche Jacket.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of evidence suggesting that PETA video was staged. I am a breeder and trust me, absolutely ZERO angora breeders would treat their rabbits that way. Normal plucking is painless and even enjoyable to therabbit. But what they do in the video.. the horrible ripping.. no angora breeder would ever do that. For one thing, its insanely creul. But PETA claims all angora breeders do it because they are greedy and dont care about their animals... ok.. well ripping like that permenantly damages the coat. It also could cause the rabbit to go into shock and die. Seriously how does it make sense for them to harvest fur that way? It doesnt. Which is why No one does. If you want to be extra careful, only purchase angora products from US angoras. But it is really not a concern. My rabbits are treated better than a lot of peoples kids.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, please dont make the comment that no breeder would do that...its crap and you know it, just because you wouldnt do it doesnt mean others wont. Having travelled in Asian countries I was stunned and amazed by the lack of concern for animal welfare they show, the PETA video was not staged...I have personally witnessed such acts as well as geese having their feather violently ripped out and left twitching in shock and agony, animals including cats and dogs skinned alive.This same level of cruelty has been found not just in Asian countries, but across Europe and America and Australia also. Again just because you may be prepared to collect hair from your rabbits by daily brushing does not mean other people do. It is naive in the extreme. Its the same as saying as dog breeders love their animals and only sell to good homes...
ReplyDeleteTheir so cute, irresistible and super hug gable. I just wonder how much one angora rabbit costs?
ReplyDeleteAngora wool? Rabbits have hair, not wool.
ReplyDeleteOnce the fur or hair is removed from an animal and spun it becomes wool. Similar to calling it a pig until it is slaughtered, then it is pork.
DeleteRabbits have different hair types. Some breeds have satin fur others have rex fur and of course wool like the angora.
DeleteA pig after it is slaughtered is bacon in my vocabulary
DeletePETA is
ReplyDeletePlease Eat Tasty Animals.....
They look like tribbles with faces.
ReplyDeleteIt's like a fragment of a cloud that fell down and sprouted ears and a face *3* soooo cuuuuute <3
ReplyDeleteHow does it walk though, if it can't see because it's face is covered in fur and it's legs are, I don't know, just as furry? Wait, I think I'd like to see a walking cloud....
I'm so friggin' random, why am I spouting such nonsense...