Rabbits that walk on two legs
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381837)
Rockingham, Australia
March 29, 2021 7:33am CST
I heard today that there is a breed of rabbit that can’t hop but which, if it tries to hop too fast, ends up walking on its front legs with its hind legs sticking up in the air.
Mutations in the gene of the ‘sauteur d’Alfort’ rabbit (Alfort jumping rabbits) cause defects in the rabbits’ spinal cords. While they walk slowly, they look ‘normal’ but when they try to go faster, their hind legs flex too much and at the wrong time. Once past a few months of age, the rabbits learn to compensate by walking on their front legs and sticking their hind legs in the air.
Photo is of a non-sauteur d’Alfort rabbit at Perth Royal Show.
Mutations in a gene typically found throughout the nervous system rob sauteur d’Alfort rabbits of their ability to hop. Instead, the animals walk on their fr...
19 people like this
18 responses
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
29 Mar 21
Poor rabbits. It seems that their spinal cords suffer.
4 people like this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
29 Mar 21
@Chellezhere Judy says it is a genetic disorder.
2 people like this
@Chellezhere (6421)
• United States
29 Mar 21
@marguicha I know. That is why I said I had to agree.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135601)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Mar 21
I hope it dont cause pain. But would be interesting to watch
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135601)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Mar 21
@JudyEv I would look them up but figure I cant afford them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Mar 21
@wolfgirl569 I suppose they are kept as pets.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
29 Mar 21
I saw that and had to turn away..it absolutely did my head in
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
31 Mar 21
@JudyEv Yeah ..dont know what it is about those things but it goes against nature and freaks my head out lol
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
29 Mar 21
Goodness sakes! Those poor rabbits, learning how to walk even as grown adults:)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Mar 21
@kobesbuddy Have you really? 
The very young joeys find it hard to find their balance too and when they get frightened by the car and decide to take off they often cannon into each other. Sometimes they fall over on the gravel too.
The very young joeys find it hard to find their balance too and when they get frightened by the car and decide to take off they often cannon into each other. Sometimes they fall over on the gravel too.1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Mar 21
@JudyEv I've seen baby rabbits hop and land on the side of their head!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208789)
• United States
29 Mar 21
I saw something about this just the other day...how odd! I would really wonder what was going on if I saw one.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Mar 21
It would be really strange to see a rabbit doing this.
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
30 Mar 21
I heard about this and find it very disturbing. Why are there mutations? Something to think about.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
29 Mar 21
that is interesting. i learned something today!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
30 Mar 21
@JudyEv cool that you shared! i have to say it shows a number of interesting things. One of which is always look out for things you don't know!
1 person likes this
@Fa_Maverick (9491)
• Australia
30 Mar 21
Nature is weird but hey I am studying genetics so I'm really not surprised.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86585)
• United States
29 Mar 21
Rabbits are so cute. Have they ever determined if that defect causes pain in the rabbit?
1 person likes this
