Age is just a number, and now that has been proven by an English fluffy lionhead rabbit called Herbie. Just 82 days shy of 15 years, Herbie has made history by becoming the world’s oldest rabbit!
Herbie’s age was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records on November 10, 2025. His fame as the world’s oldest rabbit came to the limelight when the news was released on April 20, 2026. He smashed it.
A tweet from X.
Herbie lives in Dorking, Surrey, UK, with teachers Richard and Melissa Dunham. The couple adopted him from a pet store in 2010 when he was just eight weeks old to keep their rabbit Flopsy company. Melissa Dunham said,
“His spirit is as strong as his determination, and for such a small chap his personality is huge.”
He is fond of binkies, which are happy jumps, games of chase with Richard, and snuggling up on the couch. Currently, he lives with a rabbit called Betty, who is six years old.
Lionhead rabbits generally have lifespans ranging from seven to 10 years. In comparison, Herbie exceeds this standard considerably. To provide some background information, the longest-living rabbit prior to Herbie’s record belonged to a rabbit by the name of Mick who lived for 16 years, in the city of Berwyn, Illinois. The rabbit lived until 2019.
Guinness posted the news on April 20, 2026. The next day Dexerto’s X post lit up timelines with photos of Herbie covered in hay and the shiny Guinness logo. Feel-good animal stories like this travel fast in American feeds, especially when they come with cute pictures and a surprise twist.
U.S. pet owners know rabbits rarely make it past a decade. Herbie’s story lands at a perfect time when many families are rethinking pet care after the pandemic boom in adoptions. This is reminiscent of the record set by Mick in Illinois in 2019, indicating that owners who take their duties seriously can make their rabbits break new grounds despite their geographic location.
The long and joyful life of this bunny is a testament to what consistent love, healthy nutrition, and proper care can accomplish. At a time when the world is consumed by negative news, Herbie provides a reminder that small things matter.
