What does "banding" refer to in rabbit fur?

Banding in rabbit fur specifically refers to the phenomenon where individual hair shafts exhibit multiple colors along their length. This characteristic is often associated with the agouti coat type, where the fur has alternating bands of color, typically a darker tip followed by lighter sections down the shaft. This coloration creates a distinctive appearance, enhancing the rabbit's overall coat depth and texture.

The reason for this term's specificity is that banding contributes to the variety of fur patterns in rabbits, making it an important feature for breeders and enthusiasts who are assessing the quality and variety of coats. The other options do not accurately describe banding; a continuous length of dark fur is a solid color rather than exhibiting the varied hues typical of banding. A soft, fluffy undercoat speaks to the texture and density of the fur but does not address color variations. A single color of fur describes a solid color coat, which also lacks the nuanced characteristics of banding.