New Zealand White Rabbit Details
The New Zealand white rabbit strain was obtained in 1991 by Charles River Canada (CRC) from Kitayama Labs K.K. of Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Charles River adheres to strict biosecurity practices when breeding our New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to ensure the highest standards in health and genetics. NZW rabbits are maintained as an outbred colony, housed in HEPA-filtered barrier rooms, and bred via pair mating.
Our NZW rabbits are maintained under a VAF/Plus® (SPF) health status, indicating that the colony has been tested and is free of an extensive list of viruses and other pathogens. Every quarter, we evaluate eight animals, four rabbits aged three to five months old, and four of at least six months of age (typically retired breeders), from each production colony via a comprehensive health monitoring program, which includes bacteriology, parasitology, gross pathology, and serology (assessment profile).
Rabbit colonies are also screened quarterly for Helicobacter infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. In addition, each colony is tested annually by PCR for an extensive list of bacteria, some parasites, and fungi using our PRIA PCR panel.
UNIT: C21
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UNIT: C23
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UNIT: C62
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UNIT: C71
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UNIT: C72
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UNIT: C81
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UNIT: C91
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Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (North America)
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New Zealand White Rabbit Details
The New Zealand white rabbit strain was obtained in 1991 by Charles River Canada (CRC) from Kitayama Labs K.K. of Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
Charles River adheres to strict biosecurity practices when breeding our New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to ensure the highest standards in health and genetics. NZW rabbits are maintained as an outbred colony, housed in HEPA-filtered barrier rooms, and bred via pair mating.
Our NZW rabbits are maintained under a VAF/Plus® (SPF) health status, indicating that the colony has been tested and is free of an extensive list of viruses and other pathogens. Every quarter, we evaluate eight animals, four rabbits aged three to five months old, and four of at least six months of age (typically retired breeders), from each production colony via a comprehensive health monitoring program, which includes bacteriology, parasitology, gross pathology, and serology (assessment profile).
Rabbit colonies are also screened quarterly for Helicobacter infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. In addition, each colony is tested annually by PCR for an extensive list of bacteria, some parasites, and fungi using our PRIA PCR panel.
Growth chart data should be used as a guideline only.
The shaded areas on each chart are the mean weight plus or minus one standard deviation at a given age averaged across all production facilities. This represents approximately 67% of the population, with the remaining 33% falling outside of this weight range.
➤ DOWNLOAD OUR CATALOG for instant access to Standard List Pricing
➤ TALK TO US to discuss organization or volume-based discounts
Already have an eCommerce portal account?* Login to order research models, obtain quotes, view organization-specific pricing, and see inventory. Processing time required to validate new eCommerce access requests.
*eCommerce is available in US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (North America)
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (Europe)
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Charles River Rabbit Behavioral and Enrichment Program
Our program is designed to socialize New Zealand white rabbits and to optimize their interaction with handlers upon arrival at your facility. Beneficial measures of the program include:
- Group housing
- Playing room music during the day
- Handling each animal frequently to improve acclimation to humans
- Supplying various cage enrichments such as dumbbells, chains, and balls
- Providing resting pads
Research Applications & Supporting Resources
The NZW rabbits are ideal for developmental and reproductive toxicology, ocular toxicology, dermal research, arthritis, and general multipurpose studies.
For embryo fetal development and related endpoints, Charles River provides Reproductive Historical Control Data in NZW rabbits (Horsham, PA), including maternal reproductive indices, fetal external/soft tissue/skeletal findings, ossification sites, and natural delivery parameters.
Rabbits in Preclinical Safety Assessment
Rabbits, including the New Zealand White (NZW), are routinely used as a nonrodent species in preclinical safety assessment, supporting study types such as general toxicology, ocular and dermal evaluations, and other specialty safety programs where species relevance is required. See how rabbits and rodents are incorporated in developmental toxicity studies at Charles River.
Resources
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Scientific Posters
- Comparison of Helper Lipids from 3 mRNA Vaccine Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations Following Single Intramuscular Injection in the Rabbit
- Evaluation of Stress Related to Transportation of Surgically Modified New Zealand White Rabbits
- Background Ocular Findings in New Zealand White and Dutch Belted Rabbits
- A Comparison of the Embryofetal Development Data Collected from New Zealand White (Crl:KBL[NZW]) Rabbits at Several Teratology Laboratories
- Cardiovascular Monitoring in the Conscious Young Rabbit using Telemetry
- Localization of Lactate Transporters in Rat and Rabbit Placentae
- Welfare recommendations for harmonized care of laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) across a global organization
- Challenges Associated with Female Rabbits Group Housing in Local Tolerance Studies for Vaccines
- Rabbit Habituation to Human Interaction: a Protocol to Reduce Stress and Aggressive Behaviour
- Effect of Large Dose Intravitreal Injection Volumes in Rabbits: An Investigational Study
- Intra-Cisterna Magna Delivery in the New Zealand White Rabbit
- Comparison of Helper Lipids from 3 mRNA Vaccine Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations Following Single Intramuscular Injection in the Rabbit
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Scientific Publications
- Kévin P. Dhondt, et al. The successful introduction of an early rabbit to human habituation programme to reduce stress and aggressive behaviour. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, 2025, Volune 51, Number 4.
- Madar-Balakirski N, et al. Preliminary nonclinical safety and immunogenicity of an rVSV-ΔG-SARS-CoV-2-S vaccine in mice, hamsters, rabbits and pigs. Arch Toxicol. 2022 Mar;96(3):859-875. doi: 10.1007/s00204-021-03214-w. Epub 2022 Jan 15. PMID: 35032184; PMCID: PMC8760087.
- Cameron RB, et al. Author Correction: Structural and pharmacological basis for the induction of mitochondrial biogenesis by formoterol but not clenbuterol. Sci Rep. 2019 May 1;9(1):6790. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42463-9. Erratum for: Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 5;7(1):10578. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11030-5. PMID: 31043635; PMCID: PMC6494870.
- Kévin P. Dhondt, et al. The successful introduction of an early rabbit to human habituation programme to reduce stress and aggressive behaviour. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, 2025, Volune 51, Number 4.
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Physiological Benchmarks
- Body Temperature: 38 – 40 °C (100.4 –104 °F)
- Heart Rate: 130 – 325 bpm; Respiration Rate: 30 – 60/minute
- Adult Weight (M/F): 2 – 6 kg; Neonate: 30 – 80g
- Daily Water Intake: 100 – 600 ml; Daily Food Intake: 100 – 300g
- Gestation: 29 – 35 days
- Sexual Maturity: 4 – 6 months
- Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand White Rabbits
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How is the health of Charles River's NZW rabbits monitored and maintained?
On a quarterly basis, animal models are evaluated using a comprehensive health monitoring program, which includes bacteriology, parasitology, and pathology, as well as serology (assessment profile). NZW rabbit colonies are also screened quarterly for Helicobacter using PCR and tested annually for infectious agents.
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What is Charles River's Rabbit Behavioral and Enrichment Program?
Our program is designed to socialize New Zealand white rabbits and optimize how they interact with handlers upon arrival at your facility. Beneficial measures of the program include:
- Group housing
- Playing room music during the day
- Handling each animal frequently to improve acclimation to humans
- Supplying various cage enrichments such as dumbbells, chains, and balls
- Providing resting pads
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In what types of studies are white rabbit strains used?
New Zealand White Rabbits are often used by researchers working in antibody production and conducting behavioral, ophthalmology, pharmacology, toxicology, cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology, studies. This model is also used in general studies.