Otter group

Black Otter Holland Lop

A black body with tan-to-cream trim along the belly, the jawline, the eye circles, the nostrils and the inside of the ears. Sharp, and very smart looking.

A black otter Holland Lop sits in the otter group. A black body with tan-to-cream trim along the belly, the jawline, the eye circles, the nostrils and the inside of the ears. Sharp, and very smart looking.

Moderately common. It appears regularly enough that you should not be paying a scarcity premium, though a genuinely well-marked example is another matter.

The genetics

Genotype at_ B_ C_ D_ E_. The otter pattern comes from the tan allele at the A locus, which restricts the dark colour to the top of the rabbit and leaves the tan markings underneath.

What a good one looks like

Crisp, clearly defined markings. The eye circles, the nostril marks and the triangle behind the ears should all be present and distinct. A good otter looks deliberately marked rather than accidentally patchy.

What to check for

Smudged or faint markings. Tan trim that has crept up the sides of the rabbit where it should not be.

Is black otter actually rare?

Moderately common and rising in popularity. The markings do a lot of work and it is a colour that consistently sells well.

Common questions

What are the otter markings on a Holland Lop?

Tan to cream trim along the belly, the jawline, the eye circles, the nostrils, the inside of the ears, and a triangle behind them. A good otter looks deliberately marked rather than accidentally patchy.

Are black otter Holland Lops popular?

Increasingly so. The markings do a lot of visual work and it is a colour that consistently sells well. It is moderately common rather than rare.

What it costs

Every Holland Lop here is $300 to $400 regardless of colour. Full pricing here.