Meet the world's biggest rabbits

It's no trick photography or optical illusion: these rabbits really are four feet long. Annette Edwards raises Continental Giant rabbits, also known as the German Giant. This breed is descended from the legendary Flemish Giant, and was originally developed in 1893 as a meat breed. But Edwards raises her rabbits for show, and quite a show it is!

 

Edwards's rabbits are neck-and-neck for the world records. Her rabbit Darius currently holds the world record, while Darius's son Jeff is an up-and-coming contender. Darius is over four feet long, and clocks in at 53 pounds. Jeff is three feet eight inches long, and is still growing.

 

Edwards raises her rabbits in Worcestershire, England, where they gobble up 2,000 carrots and 700 apples every year, not including their regular rabbit food. Edwards claims the giant rabbits are easier to raise than regular rabbits, since they are more laid back and less skittish and active.