Rabbits amaze us by their beauty and by the large variety of colors and characteristics they possess. The diversity of colors in both their eyes and their furs can lead to confusion when we propose to adopt one of these adorable creatures. So much so that we may be wondering why some rabbits have red eyes.
The eyes of a rabbit, as in many other living beings, can be of different colors. In rabbits, we can find four different eye colors. There are rabbits with blue eyes, brown eyes, grey eyes, or even red or pink eyes. There is nothing as beautiful as a white rabbit with red eyes!
Usually, the color of a rabbit’s eyes is associated with the color of its coat. The diverse range of colors in fur and eyes is because of genetic factors.
But why do some rabbits have red eyes? The answer lies in genetics. But before venturing into the subject, it is necessary to review some basic knowledge that will help us understand the topic in question.
What is the Iris?
When we speak of eye color, we refer to the color of the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye. In its center, we find the pupil.
The iris is responsible for controlling the amount of light entering the eye through the pupil. The iris has small muscles that make the pupil dilate or contract depending on the amount of light we are exposed to, so our vision will adjust to the best conditions.
Why Does the Iris Have Color?
The iris has small granules that contain a pigment called melanin that gives them the characteristic color of the eyes. The eye color will depend on the concentration and density of the melanin particles.
In blue eyes, for example, the melanin particles are small in diameter and more scattered. On the other hand, in brown eyes, melanin is very dense and concentrated. The darker the color, the higher the concentration of melanin. The lighter the color, the less melanin there is.
What is the Role of Melanin?
Melanin is a natural pigment that most living beings possess. The main functions of melanin are to protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and to provide color to different parts of the body like the skin, hair, and eyes.
There are two forms of melanin:
- Eumelanin: have a black or brown color and provide a dark coloration. This is the most common type of melanin.
- Pheomelanin: consists of yellow or red pigments that produce a lighter color.
Melanin not only gives color to the eyes, but its concentration also determines the color of the skin and hair. Genes from parents are responsible for the kind and amount of melanin that each individual inherits. Different genes will be responsible for one color prevailing over another.
Exposure to sunlight enhances the production of melanin. The longer the exposure to sunlight, the more intense the pigmentation. This is why your skin tans when you go to the beach.
If by chance, there are issues at any step of the melanin production process, the animal becomes white, rather than having the usual color of its species.
In some cases, the defect lies in the production of melanin, which implies that the animal lacks any pigment. This phenomenon is known as albinism.
What is Albinism?
Have you ever seen a white rabbit with red eyes? This kind of rabbits is an example of this condition.
Albinism is a disorder caused by mutations in different genes. These mutations can reduce the presence of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin, hair, or feathers in both humans and animals.
The absence of melanin is not a normal process in animals. It is an inherited problem caused by a failure in one or more of the genes that are responsible for giving pigment to the eyes, hair, and skin.
Albinism is transmitted in a recessive manner, meaning that, for albinism to occur, both parents must carry the recessive gene and pass it on to their offspring.
How Albinism Manifests Itself in Rabbits
Albino rabbits, like all other albino animals, do not synthesize melanin. As a result, albino rabbits lack little or no pigment, and the skin, eyes, and coat can be colorless. The skin and hair will be white, and the eyes will have a red or pink color.
But the absence of melanin does not always mean that we are dealing with albinism. In some instances, the lack of melanin is not as pronounced and white coloration may be due to other factors.
You can distinguish a true albino rabbit from regular white bunnies for having red eyes. For this same reason, you will find that all red-eyed rabbits are white.
What’s the Reason for the Red-Eyed Color?
All this leads us to ask ourselves. Why are albino rabbits’ eyes red? The answer is simple.
As we mentioned above, the color of the iris depends on the concentration of melanin in the pigment granules. In albino rabbits, the defect lies in the processing of the pigment, which means that the animal lacks this pigment. Therefore, a white rabbit with red eyes will only possess semitransparent tissues to protect the blood vessels of the iris and the retina.
Because albino rabbits do not synthesize melanin, their iris will only consist of a semitransparent tissue. What we perceive as a red eye is, in fact, the red color of the blood vessels that run through the retina. In other words, there is no such thing as a red iris as the red color is due to the reflection of the blood vessels in the retina.
How is an Albino Rabbit Different From a Regular Rabbit?
Albino rabbits are as friendly and loving as any other rabbit. They love to play, to jump, and have the same needs as other rabbits. The only difference lies in their physical appearance. Their furs are pure white, and their eyes look red or pink.
However, a lack of melanin exposes them to certain conditions, and therefore they require special care.
How Should I Take Care of an Albino Rabbit?
Albino rabbits are beautiful and have gained a lot of popularity as pets. There are breeds of rabbits like the Florida White Rabbit that are strictly albino. The lack of melanin represents a problem for our rabbits, so we must provide them with certain care and attention. For example:
- They should not be exposed to the sun like the rest of the animals since their skin is much more sensitive as it does not possess melanin. Melanin protects the skin from solar radiation. Albino rabbits are therefore very susceptible to sunburn and skin and eye cancer. If your rabbit is caged outside, be sure to provide it with a shelter where it can hide on sunny days.
- Lack of pigment in the eyes can cause vision problems. A red-eyed bunny can have problems with coordination, following objects, and depth perception. These conditions can put them at risk, so we must keep a constant eye on them. We should not leave them unsupervised in the wild, as they are more likely to be intercepted by predators when left unprotected.
- They are usually very sensitive to bright light, so you should not leave them exposed in overly lit areas.
It is important to note that there is no treatment for albinism. There is no substitute for the lack of melanin that causes the symptoms of albinism. Vets can only treat, not cure, the underlying problems.
Are There Any Advantages to Albinism?
Apart from looking beautiful, albinism does not offer any advantages for a rabbit. Albinism is not a typical characteristic among rabbits nor any other animals. Although there are strictly albino breeds of rabbits such as the Florida white rabbit, this condition is more of a rare mutation.
Albino animals generally do not survive long in their natural environment. Their condition is disadvantageous because of their weakness in the face of the sun’s rays, and their lack of color exposes them to predators.
Remember that melanin offers protection against the sun’s rays. Moreover, colored fur will help to provide camouflage, while an all-white coat will attract the attention of predators.
To recap, we can say that the red color in the eyes of some rabbits is an intrinsic characteristic of albino rabbits. This trait results from genetic mutations that affect melanin production.
Therefore, the red coloration is not a color itself, but the reflection of the blood vessels inside the eye. The absence of melanin implies a disadvantage for our hairy friends, as he loses the protection it offers to the skin. Also, eyes that lack melanin are unable to regulate the entry of light into the eye, since the eye lacks the pigment that covers and protects the interior of the eye, which results in visual problems.
However, despite these inconveniences, we cannot deny that albino rabbits are incredibly beautiful. They can turn into adorable pets and can carry out a happy life and development, just like any other rabbit. We must only provide them with the care and attention they need to be able to adapt to their environment.