Baby Bunnies
At fertilization the genetic traits of an individual are determined. Fertilization occurs when two gametes, an
egg and a sperm, join together. Each of the cells contributes a set of traits to the offspring.
In this activity you will use coins to represent the egg and the sperm. The parents are heterozygous for each of
the possible traits for your bunny baby. You will flip the coins to determine which trait your bunny baby will
inherit. You will then draw your bunny baby.
Procedure:
1. The silver coin represents the female
gamete and the gold coin represents the male
gamete.
2. For each of the traits, flip each coin one
time. Record “H” for heads and “h” for tails;
this will determine the genotype for the baby.
3. Use the Baby Bunny Phenotypes chart to
determine the phenotype for your baby
bunny based on the toss of the coins. Record
the phenotype for each of the traits.
4. Draw your baby bunny.
Trait
Head shape
Fur color
Ear shape
Ear size
Eye color
Nose size
Foot size
Whiskers
Sex (only flip the male
coin)
Female
Male
Phenotype
Baby Bunny Phenotypes
Trait
HH
Hh
hh
Head Shape
Round
Round
Oval
Fur Color
Brown
Brown
Yellow
Ear Shape
Ears rounded at the
top
Ears rounded at the
top
Ears pointed at the top
Ear Size
Long(3 cm or more)
Long(3 cm or more)
Short (less than 3 cm)
Eye Color
Brown
Brown
Blue
Nose Size
Big and round
Big and round
Small and round
Foot Size
Big
Big
Small
Whiskers
Straight
Straight
curly
Gender
Female, Dress
Male, Bow Tie
Draw your baby bunny below.