Fascinating Rabbit Facts
- gerhard maritz
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- Rabbits and hares are “lagomorphs”, an order that also includes the pika, a small burrowing mammal that looks like a large mouse and lives in colder climates.
- There are currently more than 45 known breeds of rabbits.
- Rabbits and bunnies are the same animals.
- There’s no difference in breed or species, just the word we prefer.
- Rabbits are social creatures that live in groups and prefer the company of their own species.
- They live in a series of tunnels and rooms that they dig underground, which is called warrens.
- A baby rabbit is called a kit, while a female is called a doe, and a male is a buck.
- A group of rabbits is called a herd.
- While originally from Europe and Africa, rabbits are now found all over the world.
- Rabbits are ground dwellers that live in environments ranging from desert to tropical forest and wetland.
- Rabbits can range in size from 34–50 cm in length and weigh between 1.1 kg to 2.5 kg.
- Rabbits have long ears which can grow as long as 10 cm.
- It has been discovered that a rabbit’s ears allow them to stay cool in hot climates when extra body heat is released through blood vessels in the ear.
- Rabbits easily suffer heatstroke and therefore prefer to live in cool places.
- A rabbit sweats only from the pads on their feet.
- Rabbits can turn their ears by 180 degrees,
- keeping a careful listen out for predators.
- A Rabbits’ eyes are on the sides of their heads, meaning they can see almost all the way around them.
- The teeth of a rabbit are very strong.
- Rabbits have approximately 28 teeth.
- A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing! Instead, they’re gradually worn down as the rabbit chews on grasses, wildflowers and vegetables.
- Like cats, rabbits are remarkably hygienic.
- They keep themselves clean throughout the day by licking their fur and paws.
- Rabbits often sleep with their eyes open, so that sudden movements will awaken the rabbit to respond to potential danger.
- A rabbit can jump as high as 90cm in one leap.
- When they are happy, they would perform a twist and kick in mid-air, also known as a “binky”.
- Rabbits can be very crafty and quick and difficult to catch.
- According to National Geographic, a cottontail rabbit will run in a zigzag pattern and reach speeds of up to 29 km/h – to get away from a predator.
- A rabbit’s life span is about 8 to 10 years,
- though sterilised rabbits (those who are spayed/ neutered) can live as long as 10-12 years.
- Rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters), eating a diet entirely of grasses and other plants.
- Bunnies need to digest some of their food twice, so
- sometimes they will eat their droppings (nutrient-packed droppings).
- Bunnies cannot vomit, so it is super important to feed them only healthy, fresh, appropriate food.
- The average size of a rabbit litter is usually between 4 and 12 babies but may vary in some cases.
- Rabbits are “crepuscular” meaning they’re the most active at dusk and dawn.
- Rabbits are born blind and naked and remain in a fur-lined nest for the first few days of their lives.
- A mother rabbit feeds her young for just about 5 minutes a day.
- Rabbits dig complex tunnel systems (called warrens) that connect special rooms reserved for things like nesting and sleeping.
- The tunnel system will have multiple entrances that allow the animals to escape when needing to get away from a predator.
- Rabbits (Lagomorphs) were originally classified as rodents, but in 1912 the distinction was made between them and rodents.
- Rabbits are meticulously clean animals and are easy to housebreak and train. Much like a dog, a pet rabbit can be taught to come to his/her name, sit in sit in your lap, and do simple tricks.
- Rabbits need special veterinarians. These veterinarians, who are rabbit experts, can be more expensive than cat and dog vets as well as harder to find.
- Like cats, happy rabbits can purr when they’re content and relaxed.
- Just like humans, rabbits get bored and will need socialization, space to exercise, and plenty of toys to keep themselves entertained.
- They’re all about territory. They need lots of space and will quickly decide where they like to eat, sleep and use the bathroom.
- Predators, which include owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, wild dogs, feral cats and ground squirrels — are a constant threat.
- A rabbit’s foot may be carried as an amulet, believed to bring protection and good luck. This belief is found in many parts of the world, with the earliest use being recorded in Europe c. 600 BC.
- One of the world’s best-known rabbits is the Warner Bros cartoon character, called Bugs Bunny. While Bugs Bunny
is often seen as eating a carrot, carrots aren’t a natural part of a rabbit’s diet and can give bunnies an upset stomach (carrots are high in sugar) if they eat too many - To assist indigestion, they need hay which helps to prevent formation of fur balls in their stomach.
