All About Rabbits - Rabbit Facts & Information

About Rabbits

Rabbits are small, furry mammals characterised by their soft fur, long ears, short fluffy tails, and strong hind feet and legs. There are many species of domestic rabbits, while wild rabbits typically have grey-brown fur. They belong to the family Leporidae.

Interestingly, rabbits were classified as rodents until 1912. This classification was revised because rabbits have four upper incisors, whereas rodents have only two.

The European Rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus) is a particularly familiar species to many people. It is recognised in various contexts, such as wild rabbits that serve as prey for numerous predators, as livestock, or as pet rabbits. In the UK, European rabbits are commonly encountered and play significant roles in the ecosystem and as companions.

Rabbits possess several physical characteristics and adaptations that aid their survival. Their long ears can rotate almost 270 degrees, allowing them to detect predators from a distance with their highly developed hearing.

Their powerful hind legs enable quick, agile movement, allowing them to make long, rapid hops to escape from danger.

Additionally, rabbits have continuously growing teeth that need to be worn down by gnawing on various materials, a trait they share with rodents despite their different dental structures.

What is a Group of Rabbits Called?

Most commonly, a group of Rabbits is called a colony, but it can also be known as a herd or a nest.

Brown Hare Vs Rabbits

Although both are members of the family Leporidae, they differ in terms of behaviour, habitat and their physical appearance.

Brown Hares are larger than rabbits, with a body length of around 50-70 cm, Rabbits are smaller with a body length of 34-50 cm.

Although known for their long floppy ears, Hares actually have longer ears with black tips.

You'll often see Hares running at high speeds because this is what their hind legs are built for. Rabbits legs are adapted for quick, agile movement and burrowing.

Hares are solitary animals and all they come together for is breeding season where as Rabbits live in large groups called warrens - and within these are complex social structures.

What Do Rabbits Eat

Wild rabbits have a diet that is similar to their domestic counterparts, but it can vary depending on their habitat and what food sources are available. Here's what wild rabbits typically eat.

Wild rabbits primarily graze on grasses found in their natural habitat. They consume a variety of grass species, which provide them with essential fiber and nutrients.

They will also feed on a wide range of herbs and weeds, including dandelions, plantain, clover, and chickweed. These plants offer additional nutrients and variety to their diet.

In certain seasons or when other food sources are scarce, wild rabbits may nibble on bark, twigs, and small branches. However, this is not a significant part of their diet and is usually consumed as a last resort.

Wild rabbits may occasionally consume vegetables if they come across them in their environment. They may eat vegetables like carrots, lettuce, and cabbage if they are available, but these are not primary food sources.e.

In agricultural areas, wild rabbits may feed on crops such as wheat, oats, barley, and alfalfa, which can sometimes lead to conflicts with farmers.

Habitat

Wild rabbits can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests and grasslands to deserts and even urban areas.

They typically prefer areas with plenty of vegetation for cover and food, such as meadows, fields, bushy areas, and the edges of forests.

Rabbits are also known to burrow, so they often inhabit areas with suitable soil for digging burrows, such as sandy or loamy soils.

Lifespan of a Wild Rabbit

In the UK, the lifespan of a wild rabbit can vary depending on various factors such as predation, disease, and habitat quality. On average, wild rabbits typically have a lifespan of around 1 to 2 years in the wild and over 90% of Rabbits die in their first year of life (Mostly within the first three months!)

In captivity, Domestic Rabbit will tend to live longer - sometimes making it to 10 years! This is because they don't face the same dangers as they do in the wild.

Rabbits Breeding Season

During favourable conditions, there is no set breeding season for these mammals. They are able to breed all year round - however they will tend to breed more when food is more abundant and the weather is better for raising their young. This tends to fall in the spring and summer months.

Also known as Does, female Rabbits ovulate in response to mating and can produce more than one litter a year. The gestation period usually lasts around 28 to 31 days. One litter can consist of 1 to 15 baby Rabbits - the average is around 4-6 kittens.

Given their ability to reproduce rapidly, wild rabbit populations can grow quickly under optimal conditions, which is why they are considered a prolific pest in some areas.

Young Rabbits

Born hairless, blind and dependent on their mother, baby Rabbits, also known as Kittens aren't the prettiest of all baby animals. During the first few weeks of their life, they rely on their Mother for warmth, nourishment and protection.

Born in shallow burrows dug by their mother, Kittens eyes remain closed for 10 days. Over this time, they grow rapidly. Once their eyes are open they'll explore their surroundings within the nest, they develop fur and their ears stand up.

At around 4 weeks, the baby Rabbits will start eating solid food, transitioning to a diet of grass and hay.

By around 6 to 8 weeks of age, kits are fully weaned and can survive on their own. They leave the nest and start to venture out into the surrounding area, learning essential skills such as foraging and avoiding predators.

Rabbit Predators

Rabbits are prey animals, meaning they are hunted by larger animals for food.

Foxes are significant predators of rabbits, particularly in areas where their ranges overlap. They are skilled hunters and can catch rabbits both above ground and in their burrows.

Although domestic cats are not natural predators of rabbits, they may hunt and kill them, especially if they are outdoor cats and encounter wild rabbits.

These small, agile predators are known for their ability to hunt rabbits by entering their burrows or chasing them above ground.

Five Facts about Rabbits

1. Rabbits are known for their prolific breeding habits. A single female rabbit, or doe, can produce multiple litters of kittens (baby rabbits) in a year, with each litter typically consisting of 4 to 6 offspring. This high reproductive rate is one reason why Rabbits can quickly become numerous in areas where they are not controlled.

2. Rabbits have a unique digestive system that relies on hindgut fermentation to break down tough plant materials. They have a large cecum, a part of the digestive tract where fermentation occurs, which allows them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant matter like grass and hay. Cecotropes, special fecal pellets produced by Rabbits, are re-ingested to further digest nutrients.

3. Despite their reputation for being timid, Rabbits are actually social animals that thrive in the company of their own kind. In the wild, they often live in groups or colonies called warrens, where they communicate through body language, vocalisations, and scent marking. Domestic Rabbits also enjoy companionship and can form strong bonds with other rabbits or even with humans.

4. Rabbits are members of the lagomorph family, characterised by their specialised teeth. They have continuously growing incisors, which means their teeth never stop growing throughout their lives. To prevent overgrowth, Rabbits need to constantly wear down their teeth by chewing on fibrous vegetation. This is why a diet rich in hay and grass is essential for their dental health.

5. Rabbits are well-known for their agility and ability to jump great distances. They have powerful hind legs designed for swift movement and leaping away from predators. Some rabbit species, such as the European Rabbit, can jump up to three feet vertically and over ten feet horizontally in a single bound. Their impressive jumping abilities help them evade predators and navigate their natural habitats effectively.