S P E C I E S L I S T
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
The European rabbit or common rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a species of rabbit native to southwestern Europe (Spain and Portugal) and northwest Africa (Morocco and Algeria).[3] It has been widely introduced elsewhere, often with devastating effects on local biodiversity.
However, its decline in its native range (caused by the diseases myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus, as well as overhunting and habitat loss), has caused the decline of its highly dependent predators, the Iberian lynx and the Spanish imperial eagle.
It is known as an invasive species because it has been introduced to countries on all continents with the exception of Antarctica and sub-Saharan Africa, and caused many problems within the environmentand ecosystems.
Australia has the most problems with European rabbits, due to the lack of natural predators there.
The European rabbit is well known for digging networks of burrows, called warrens, where it spends most of its time when not feeding.
Unlike the related hares (Lepus spp.), rabbits are altricial, the young being born blind and furless, in a fur-lined nest in the warren, and they are totally dependent upon their mother.
Habitat
Rabbits are social animals, living in medium-sized colonies known as warrens. They are largely crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk, although they are not infrequently seen active during the day. During the day, rabbits prefer to reside in vegetated patches, which they use for protection from predators.[7] At night, they move into open prairie to feed.[7]
Rabbit populations seem to be greatest in ecotone habitats and less in scrublands or grasslands.
Rabbits can be extremely aggressive in the wild, and competition between males can often lead to severe injury and death.
Although hostile displays are used, and males often squirt urine on challengers as a form of high dominance, this nearly always
enrages the challenger, resulting in immediate attack.
Social organization
Rabbits can be extremely aggressive in the wild, and competition between males can often lead to severe injury and death.
Although hostile displays are used, and males often squirt urine on challengers as a form of high dominance, this nearly always enrages the challenger, resulting in immediate attack.[4] Rabbits use their powerful back legs as weapons, kicking at an opponent’s underside, as well as biting and scratching with the front paws.
Reproduction
Rabbits are famed for their reproductive capabilities.
Litter sizes generally range between two and 12 rabbits.
One single pair of mature rabbits is able to produce 30-40 offspring per year. Kittens are born in a nest in an isolated part of the warren.
The females build, prepare and defend the nest. A doe will mark the nest with urine and fecal dropping to deter others from invading the site.[21]
Does take care of the kittens without help from the bucks. However, bucks show considerable investment in the welfare of young.
Humans’ relationship with rabbits
As an exotic pest
Twenty-four European rabbits were introduced to Australia in 1859 by estate owner Thomas Austin in Victoria.
They soon spread throughout the country due to the lack of natural predators, widespread farming producing an ideal habitat, and mild Australian winters allowing them to breed year-round. Australia’s equivalent to the rabbit, the bilby, was quickly pushed out by the rabbits. The bilbies are endangered, but are now making a comeback due to government protection. Between 1901 and 1907,
Australia built an immense “rabbit-proof fence” to halt the westward expansion of the introduced rabbit population.
The European rabbit can not only jump very high, but also burrow underground, making fencing essentially futile.
During the 1950s, experiments with introduction of a virus, Myxomatosis cuniiculi, provided some relief in Australia,
but not in New Zealand, where the insect vectors necessary for spread of the disease were not present. Myxomatosis can also infect pet rabbits of the same species.
Today’s remaining wild rabbits in Australia are largely immune to myxomatosis.
Domesticated rabbits
Domesticated rabbits have mostly been bred to be much larger than wild rabbits, though selective breeding has produced a wide range of breeds, which are kept as pets and food animals across the world. They have as much colour variation among themselves as other household pets.
Their fur is prized for its softness and even today, Angora rabbits are raised for their long, soft fur, which is often spun into yarn.
Other breeds are raised for the fur industry, particularly the Rex, which has a smooth, velvet-like coat and comes in a wide variety of colours and sizes.