Flemish Giant Rabbit - ZooMontana

Flemish Giant Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus

Flemish giant rabbits are just one of about forty different breeds of Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus, the ancestor of all domestic rabbits. These rabbits are native to Europe but can be found domesticated all around the globe. The Flemish giant rabbit earns its name for its size and can be up to two and a half feet long and can weigh up to fifteen pounds. They were once bred for their size and were used for consumption and fur, but today they are more commonly found as pets. They are typically a light grayish color but can also be black, blueish, sandy, or white color. Rabbits are considered lagomorphs and not rodents; a major difference is their teeth.

Click HERE for a Flemish Rabbit Activity Sheet!

Our Current Residents

Walter, Male – Born in 2019/2020 (estimated and celebrated)

Walter came to ZooMontana in 2020 and lives at the barn with our other rabbit Charlotte. Walter can often be found grazing the grass in his habitat or taking a midafternoon snooze in his hutch.

You can get to know Walter better and meet him in person through our programs scheduled through the Education Department!

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Lagomorpha
• Family: Leporidae
• Genus: Oryctolagus
• Species: Oryctolagus cuniculus ssp. domesticus

Animal Facts

Herbivore: mainly eat grains and grasses

Population Status: currently listed as Near Threatened

Habitat: dry areas near sea level with soft, sandy soil easy for burrowing

Activity: diurnal (or crepuscular)- mostly active during the day (or dusk and dawn)

Our Animals

Alpaca

Our two male alpaca, Trotter and Kramer were donated to the zoo. Click here to learn more!

American Badger

Uki was donated to ZooMontana after she was raised by a rehabilitation center due to being orphaned. Click here to learn more!

Amur Tiger

Our two tigers, Sofi and Jasime came from a roadside attraction in Florida in 2014. Click here to learn more!

Bald Eagle

Our eagles, Emelio and Tokata came to us from a treatment center after being treated for wing injuries. Click here to learn more!

Ball Python

Hana came to us from a humane society in 2023 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Barn Owl

Athena came to ZooMontana in 2024 has a hatchling and is now an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Bearded Dragon

Moana was donated to the zoo in 2020 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Bison

Our father and son duo have lived at the zoo together over the last 3 years and have their own interesting backgrounds. Click here to learn more!

Blue Death-Feigning Beetle

Our colony came to us in 2023 and our educational ambassadors. Click here to learn more!

Boer Goat

Our Boer goats came to ZooMontana in June of 2021 after being donated. Click here to learn more!

California Kingsnake

Taco was a pet surrender that came to the zoo in 2018 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Canada Lynx

Fierca came as a pet surrender in 2011 when she was just a few months old. Click here to learn more!

Cane Toad

Cheech was a pet surrender and was brought to ZooMontana in 2016. Click here to learn more!

Chilean Rose Haired Tarantula

Taboo our tarantula was donated to the zoo in 2015. Click here to learn more!

Colombian Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor

Leroy was a pet surrender that came to the zoo in 2018. Click here to learn more!

Common Garter Snake

Ginger came to the zoo as a rehabilitation patient in late 2022 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Domestic Chicken

Our flock of different species was donated to the zoo. Click here to learn more!

Domestic Rabbit

Charlotte was born here on grounds and has developed quite a personality. Click here to learn more!

Eastern Indigo Snake

Montoya came to ZooMontana in October of 2024 from the North Carolina Zoo. Click here to learn more!

Eastern Screech Owl

Scout came to the zoo as a rehabilitation patient in late 2020. Click here to learn more!

Flemish Giant Rabbit

Walter came to ZooMontana in 2020 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Giant African Millipede

Our millipede colony is made up of all girls and they are all educational ambassadors. Click here to learn more!

Golden Eagle

Oro came to ZooMontana as a juvenile after being rehabilitated. Click here to learn more!

Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs

Our nine dart frogs to the zoo in 2021 and 2023. Click here to learn more!

Greenbottle Blue Tarantula

Bluey came to live at the zoo in March of 2021. Click here to learn more!

Grey Wolf

Meet ZooMontana's wolf pack! Click here to learn more about the brother pair, Thor and Onyx.

Grizzly Bear

All our grizzly bears have come from parks with similar backgrounds. Click here to learn more!

Hoffman's Two Toed Sloth

Winston came to ZooMontana in 2020 from another facility in Michigan. Click here to learn more!

Koi

Our koi pond is home to 70 different individuals. Click here to learn more!

Laughing Kookaburra

Sydney came to the zoo from a facility in Georgia. Click here to learn more!

Madagascar Day Gecko

Jane was donated to the zoo in 2013, from Draper, Utah. Click here to learn more!

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

Our cockroach colony is made up of over 50 individuals. Click here to learn more!

Miniature Donkeys

Two of our donkeys came from a private ranch and the third was born right here at the zoo. Click here to learn more!

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

Two of our goats were donated to the zoo by our ZooSchool instructor. Click here to learn more!

North American Porcupine

One of our porcupines comes from North Dakota and another was raised here at the zoo as a young porcupette. Click here to learn more!

North American Racer

Indy was found on the ground and is now an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

North American River Otter

Two of our otters came from a fishery in Louisiana and the third was born right here at the zoo. Click here to learn more!

Red Island Bird Eating Tarantula

Bingo came to ZooMontana in March of 2021. Click here to learn more!

Red Panda

All our red pandas are a part of the Species Survival Plan. Click here to learn more!

Red-tailed Hawk

Amarillo came from the Wildlife Center of Montana after being injured. Click here to learn more!

Sichuan Takin

Our brother takin were reunited here after coming from the Pueblo Zoo. Click here to learn more!

Striped Skunk

Our brother skunks came to live here at the zoo after they became orphans. Click here to learn more!

Three Banded Armadillo

Dahlia came to ZooMontana in late 2022. Click here to learn more!

Three Toed Box Turtle

Rocket and Roxy came from a private individual in 1999 and are educational ambassadors. Click here to learn more!

Tiger Salamander

Simon and Sally came to the zoo in 2019 and are educational ambassadors. Click here to learn more!

Turkey Vulture

Gomez was donated to the zoo from the Montana Raptor Center after being injured in the wild. Click here to learn more!

Western Hognose Snake

Wilbur came to the zoo in 2021 and is an educational ambassador. Click here to learn more!

White's Tree Frog

Yoda and Leia came to live at the zoo in 2020 and 2022 and are educational ambassadors. Click here to learn more!

Wolverine

All our wolverines are a part of the Species Survival Plan. Click here to learn more!