Rabbit
History
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae, found
in many parts of the world. They are sometimes affectionately
known as bunnies, especially by children. There are seven
different genera in the family classified as rabbits, including
the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), cottontail
rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami Rabbit
(Pentalagus furnessi, an endangered species on Amami Oshima,
Japan). There are many other species of rabbit, and these,
along with cottontails, pikas and hares make up the Order
Lagomorpha.
The European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only
species of rabbit to be domesticated. All pet breeds of
rabbits - such as dwarf lops, angoras, etc. - are of this
species. However, rabbits and people interact in many different
ways beyond domestication. Rabbits are an example of an
animal which is treated as food, pet and pest by the same
culture.
Rabbits were often introduced onto
islands by travellers with the aim of providing a food
source on
their return and their high reproduction rate meant that
they successfully became established in the wild in most
places where they were introduced. Rabbits were introduced
by humans into the Mediterranean in Roman times and throughout
much of Europe during the Middle Ages.
The rabbit exists in the wild today in every continent
except for Asia and Antartica and it is considered an agricultural
pest as they eat crops and compete with farm animals for
forage.
Selective breeding and domestication of the rabbit has
been carried out for over 1,000 years and rabbits have
been raised commercially for meat, skins and wool as well
as widely used in laboratories.
Your first experience with owning a pet rabbit can be
a daunting one. Without proper preperation, it
can
lead to disillusion
and heartache for both the owner and the rabbit. Certain
criteria apply to all forms of livestock when keeping them
as a pet and which need to be observed at all times. Your
rabbit's
health and well being will depend entirely on how much you
are willing to learn about its needs and wants.
Housed indoors and provided with adequate damage-proofing
(especially of electrical cables), rabbits are relatively
safe from predators, disease, and temperature extremes.
Rabbits kept outdoors must be provided with shelter that
is heated in winter and shaded in summer. Domesticated
rabbits are most comfortable in temperatures between 10
to 21 degrees Celsius (50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and
cannot endure temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius (90
degrees Fahrenheit). Veterinarians specializing in rabbits
recommend a diet consisting of hay, leafy green vegetables,
water, and small amounts of pellets.
Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active
at dawn and dusk; rabbit owners find that these times correspond
nicely with their working days. As prey animals, rabbits
behave differently from predator companion animals such
as cats and dogs. For example, they have lower 'running
expenses', and do not tolerate games of chase. Although
well known for hopping, rabbits' spines are inflexible
and delicate and they dislike being handled. For these
reasons, they are better suited for older teens and adults
than for children.
Please
adopt a rabbit from a shelter or rescue where possible. If
you really want a baby rabbit, you can most likely adopt
one, as many litters are surrendered/dumped at shelters.
Often you can see
a rabbits true personality at a shelter, where it may have
been handled daily, and is socialising with other rabbits.
Some shelters also spay and vaccinate rabbits before allowing
them to be adopted, which will save money and time.
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