Rabbit Skins and Furs: Production, Properties, and Potentiality as Raw Materials for Tanning and Other Industries

Rabbit skin is a by-product of rabbit meat production. For years, rabbit skins have not received adequate attention compared to the skins and hides of other animal species, despite their unique characteristics. In this regard, this chapter aims to discuss all matters related to rabbit skins, furs, and leathers. While rabbit skins have distinctive characteristics in terms of softness, low thickness, and distinguishing appearance, they compete with the skins or hides of other types in the areas of its industrial usages, although they are not used sufficiently. The main reasons for the limited industrial use of rabbit skin are improper skinning, small surface area, and the difficulty of assembling skins into larger pieces. However, with rabbit domestication, the application of correct skinning methods, proper handling of skins, and use of modern tanning processes may lead to an increase in the marketing of rabbit skins.