Ice Turns Himalayan Rabbits Black

May 14

Description: The Himalayan rabbit is an excellent example of an organism that shows how the environment can affect traits. A rabbit kit (baby) that is exposed to as little as 20 minutes of cold will develop darker fur. Since the ears and feet of a Himalayan rabbit are colder they are generally black in color. In a classic genetics experiment a Himalayan is shaved and then an ice pack is placed on its back. The fur grows back black in the location that was cooled.

Web Resources: Himalayan Rabbit Markings - Wikipedia , Pathwayz - Genetics/Environment

By SableSteel [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons