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Rabbit Color Calculator

Ready to calculate
Mendelian Punnett.
Multi-Locus.
Phenotype Mapping.
100% Free.
No Data Stored.

How it Works

01Enter Parent Genotypes

Type alleles for B, D, E loci of both parents.

02Auto Punnett

Multi-locus Punnett combines all gene pairs.

03Genotype Ratios

Probability for every offspring combination.

04Phenotype Map

Translates genotypes into visible coat colors.

What is a Rabbit Color Calculator?

The Rabbit Color Calculator predicts the coat-color genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a rabbit pairing using Mendelian genetics across the major coat-color loci: A (agouti), B (black/chocolate), C (color/shading), D (dilution), and E (extension). Each locus segregates independently; combining them gives the full color picture for any cross.


Used by ARBA-recognized rabbit breeders, 4-H members, pet rabbit hobbyists planning breeding programs, and genetics students learning multi-locus inheritance. Enter sire and dam genotypes; the calculator returns the Punnett-square outcome with phenotype frequencies.

How to Use the Calculator

Enter sire genotype: alleles at each locus (e.g., AaBbCcDdEe).
Enter dam genotype: same format.
Calculate: Computes all possible offspring genotypes via independent assortment, groups by phenotype, and returns expected ratios.
Read the output: phenotype, percentage, and the underlying genotype combinations.

The Math Behind It

Each locus follows simple Mendelian segregation: parent contributes one of two alleles randomly. For five independent loci, total genotype combinations = 2^5 × 2^5 = 1024 gamete pairings (collapsed into ≤32 unique genotypes per dihybrid heterozygous cross).


Dominance hierarchies: A > a^t > a (agouti dominant); B > b (black dominant over chocolate); C > c^chd > c^chl > c^h > c (color shading); D > d (dense dominant over dilute); E > e^j > e (extension dominant).

Real-World Example

Worked Example

Cross: BbDd (black, dense) × Bbdd (black, dilute):

  • B locus: BB:Bb:bb = 1:2:1 → 75% black (B_), 25% chocolate (bb)
  • D locus: Dd:dd = 1:1 → 50% dense (D_), 50% dilute (dd)
  • Combined phenotypes: 37.5% black, 37.5% blue, 12.5% chocolate, 12.5% lilac

Who Uses It

1
🐰 Show Breeders: Plan color-targeted matings to produce ARBA-standard colors.
2
🧬 Genetics Students: Visualize multi-locus Mendelian inheritance.
3
🌾 4-H / FFA: Document expected colors for breeding projects.
4
🏠 Pet Owners: Predict litter colors before breeding.
5
📚 Educators: Demonstrate epistasis (extension locus blocks agouti pattern).
6
🔬 Hobby Geneticists: Validate test crosses for unknown genotypes.

Technical Reference

Major loci and key alleles:

  • A (Agouti): A = agouti, a^t = tan/otter pattern, a = self (solid)
  • B (Black/Brown): B = black, b = chocolate
  • C (Color): C = full color, c^chd = chinchilla, c^chl = light chinchilla, c^h = himalayan/pointed, c = albino (REW)
  • D (Dilution): D = dense, d = dilute (black→blue, chocolate→lilac)
  • E (Extension): E = full extension of dark pigment, e^j = japanese/harlequin, e = non-extension (red/yellow only)

Common phenotypes: Black = A_B_C_D_E_; Blue = A_B_C_dd E_; Chocolate = A_bb C_D_E_; Lilac = A_bb C_ddE_; REW = anything cc; BEW = vienna homozygous.

Key Takeaways

Rabbit color genetics is a five-locus puzzle with capital-letter dominance and a few epistatic interactions (e.g., ee blocks agouti pattern; cc removes all color). Master the A, B, C, D, E loci and you can predict any standard cross. For rare modifiers (rufous, silvering, vienna), additional loci are involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't know a parent's genotype?
Use a test cross — breed to a known recessive (e.g., REW for cc test). Offspring phenotypes reveal hidden recessives. The calculator can accept partial genotypes (e.g., B_) and show the range of possible outcomes.
Why are predictions probabilistic?
Mendelian ratios are statistical expectations across many offspring. A single 4-kit litter might show 4 of one phenotype even when the predicted ratio is 1:1. Larger sample sizes converge on the predicted ratios.
What about dwarf gene, vienna, broken?
Those are additional loci (Dw, V, En). The calculator currently focuses on the main color loci (A/B/C/D/E). Dwarf and broken-pattern (En) follow simple dominant inheritance with lethal homozygous (DwDw lethal).
Are there color exclusions in show standards?
Yes — ARBA recognizes specific colors per breed. A genetically valid color (e.g., chocolate Holland Lop) might not be accepted in show. Check current ARBA Standard of Perfection.
How does ee affect color?
ee removes black/brown pigment (eumelanin) from the coat, leaving only red/yellow (pheomelanin). An A_B_ee rabbit is "tort" or "red" depending on modifiers. ee is epistatic — it masks the underlying A and B genotypes.
What about silvering and rufous?
Modifiers, not loci on the main color chart. Silvering (Si) is a separate dominant gene. Rufous intensity (red enhancement) is polygenic — selected over generations rather than predicted from a Punnett square.

Author Spotlight

The ToolsACE Team - ToolsACE.io Team

The ToolsACE Team

Our specialized research and development team at ToolsACE brings together decades of collective experience in financial engineering, data analytics, and high-performance software development.

Software Engineering Team

Disclaimer

Predictions are based on standard Mendelian inheritance for the major rabbit color loci (A, B, C, D, E). Real outcomes can deviate due to small litter sizes, undocumented modifier genes, or recessive alleles hidden in lineage. For show-quality breeding, maintain detailed pedigree records and test-cross unknown genotypes.