Silver Marten

ARBA reports that US Chinchilla breeders introduced black-and-tan genetics and found unusual black young in litters during the early 1920s. The Livestock Conservancy dates the origin to 1921. Rather than discard the sports, breeders selected their contrasting markings as a new population. A working standard for Black and Chocolate was accepted in 1927, with Blue and Sable added in 1933. The name refers to the visual resemblance of the patterned fur to wild marten, not to a rabbit–marten hybrid. The Livestock Conservancy’s current 2026 list places the breed in Recovering.

The January 2026 ARBA guide lists Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac and Sable for exhibition and registration. This newer document supersedes public summaries that still mention only four. Silver Marten is four-class; adults are 6–9.5 lb (2.72–4.31 kg), and ARBA sets 9.5 lb as the maximum. The colored upper surface contrasts with pale eye circles, chin, belly, underside of tail, inner ears and nostril markings; silver-tipped hairs rise along the lower sides. University and reviewed genetics sources explain black-and-tan patterning through ASIP aᵗ and chinchilla color restriction through TYR alleles, but phenotype alone cannot prove exact genotype or pedigree.

No cited standard or controlled behavioral study proves that every Silver Marten is calm, playful, friendly or suitable for children. Behavior varies with health, hormones, early handling, housing and learning. Provide secure hiding places, foraging, predictable routines, substantial exercise room and a compatible rabbit companion. Interact at floor level, use rewards and allow retreat. Never lift by ears or loose skin; support the chest and entire hindquarters. A sudden change in activity, posture, appetite or sociability should trigger a health and environment check.

Provide connected living and exercise areas that permit several full hops, upright standing, stretching, turning, running, exploration and withdrawal. Use dry, stable, non-slip flooring and comfortable rest surfaces. Feed unlimited grass hay and constant fresh water, suitable leafy greens and a measured complete pellet adjusted for age, body condition and reproduction. Groom the flyback coat gently during moults and inspect the pale belly, chin and lower sides rather than assuming every light patch is normal pattern. Track weight and check appetite, feces, teeth, nails, soles, skin, coat and movement.

The cited genetics sources describe pigment pathways; they do not establish a Silver Marten-specific disease caused by the standard pattern. Nor does the absence of a proven color-linked disorder demonstrate special hardiness. Patchy hair loss, scale, wounds, intense itching or a new color change require examination rather than being dismissed as markings. Reduced eating or feces, drooling, weight loss, diarrhea, swelling, breathing difficulty, head tilt, urine scald, sore feet or lethargy need prompt rabbit-experienced veterinary assessment. Use quarantine and complete health records in a recovering population.

Use the current ARBA standard and record exact Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac or Sable identity, pedigree, mature weight, four-class body type, eye color, placement of pale markings and silver-tipped hairs, flyback coat, feet, bite, examinations, matings, every birth and loss, growth and doe recovery. Keep color records across generations; genetic notation is a prediction framework, not a substitute for phenotype, pedigree or laboratory validation. Separate the Silver Marten breed from the same named color in Netherland Dwarf, Mini Rex and Mini Satin. The cited sources do not validate fixed five-kit litters, 55% yield, 14-week processing or universal temperament.

• Record exact variety, pedigree, mature weight and full marking placement.
• Track health, examinations, every birth, loss and doe recovery.
• Do not confuse the breed with the Silver Marten color in other breeds.