European Rabbit
European Rabbit Facts
| Size | 14-18 inches (35-45 cm) |
| Speed | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
| Weight | 2.8-4.8 pounds (1.3-2.2 kg) |
| Lifespan | 3-4 years |
| Food | Grasses, herbs, leaves |
| Predators | Red fox, marten, weasel, lynx, badger, birds of prey, owls |
| Distribution | Europe, Australia, America |
| Habitat | Loose, sandy soils, parks, gardens |
| Order | Lagomorpha |
| Family | Leporidae |
| Scientific name | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Characteristics | Small gray-brown rabbit; ancestor of the domestic rabbit |
Main Characteristics
The European rabbit is the original form of the domestic rabbit. It has a gray-brown coat, short ears, and long hind legs. Unlike hares, they're very social creatures and create burrows, so-called warrens, underground.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution
European rabbits can be found throughout Europe, except in northern Scandinavia and Iceland. They also inhabit Australia and New Zealand, as they were introduced there in the 18th and 19th centuries. Later on, they were brought to South Africa, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. This introduction hasn't always been beneficial for those regions. In Australia, for instance, the rabbits have no natural predators and therefore have multiplied too rapidly.
Habitat
European rabbits prefer loose, sandy soils where they can dig burrows and tunnels. They also inhabit areas close to villages and towns, as parks and green spaces provide them with suitable environments.
Way of Life
European rabbits are primarily active during dawn and dusk. However, near human settlements, they can also be spotted during the day. They are quite social creatures and tend to live in small groups. When they’re not foraging for food, they relax in their burrows underground, which can reach depths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and lengths of 148 feet (45 meters).
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
European rabbits are small creatures. They typically measure 14-18 inches (35-45 cm) in body length. Their ears can grow to be 2-3 inches (6-8 cm) long, while their tails are 1.5-2.5 inches (4-7 cm). They usually weigh 2.8-4.8 pounds (1.3-2.2 kg).
Fur
European rabbits have a thick outer fur that protects them from injuries. In winter, they also have a soft, warm undercoat.
Whiskers
European rabbits have long, black whiskers. They help them sense their surroundings better.
Tail
European rabbits have a short tail. When they are fleeing and running away, the white underside becomes visible. It acts like a visual "signpost", helping other rabbits to follow and find safety.
Color
European rabbits come in various colors, including gray-brown, sandy, dark gray, and even black.
Diet
European rabbits are herbivores. Their diet mainly consists of grasses, herbs, and leaves. Occasionally, they also munch on bark and twigs.
Behavior
Whistling and Thumping
When predators are nearby, rabbits alert each other. They whistle and thump their hind legs on the ground.
Rabbit Hole
Size
European rabbits create tunnels and burrows underground. They're called warrens. These structures can reach depths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and lengths of up to 148 feet (45 meters), providing space for 2-10 rabbits.
Entrance
The entrance is easily identifiable, measuring 4-20 inches (10-50 cm) in diameter and typically clear of grass or other plants.
Digging the Tunnels
They dig their tunnels by pushing soil with their front paws to their hind legs, which then kick the dirt away.
Always Close to the Rabbit Hole
Generally, they stay within 10-20 feet (25-50 meters) of their burrow, allowing them to quickly escape if needed.
Senses and Abilities
Sense of Hearing
European rabbits have an exceptional sense of hearing. They are capable of detecting both very low and very high sounds. Their ears are also highly mobile, allowing them to rotate up to 270 degrees and adjust like a satellite dish to focus on sounds from different directions. Additionally, they can hear independently with each ear, meaning they can pick up one sound with the left ear and another with the right.
Sense of Sight
European rabbits have their eyes positioned on the sides of their heads, giving them an impressive nearly 360-degree field of vision. This unique placement allows them to quickly spot predators, no matter which direction they approach from.
Sense of Smell
European rabbits have an exceptional sense of smell, equipped with around 100 million olfactory cells. This remarkable ability allows them to detect predators from a distance and even sniff out food hidden underground. Their sense of smell is also crucial for their social interactions, as they can identify fellow rabbits by scent and mark their territory with various odors.
Life Expectancy
European rabbits typically live in the wild for only about 3-4 years. The oldest wild rabbit recorded lived for 7 years and 7 months.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
European rabbits face numerous predators. They are prey for red foxes, martens, weasels, ferrets, stoats, lynxes, wolves, badgers, dogs, birds of prey, and owls.
Human Impact
European rabbits are often labeled as pests due to their rapid population growth in certain areas. However, humans are largely to blame for this situation. For instance, they were introduced to Australia, where they faced no natural predators, leading to a significant increase in their numbers. This has resulted in considerable damage to young plants, shrubs, and crops. Hunting isn't always an effective solution for controlling their population. When wild rabbits are hunted, the remaining individuals experience what is known as "reproductive pressure". They become aware of the absence of their relatives and end up reproducing more often.
Conservation Status
The European rabbit is considered an endangered species by the IUCN because its population has significantly decreased in its original habitat, which includes Spain and Portugal, over the past few years. This decline is mainly due to diseases caused by viruses and parasites, excessive hunting, and the loss of their natural environment.
Importance for the Ecosystem
European rabbits are often blamed for causing a lot of damage. However, this is only true in places where they don’t have any natural predators because humans have either wiped them out or introduced the rabbits to new areas where they face no threats. In balanced ecosystems, wild rabbits play a crucial role. They are considered a "keystone species," essential for the survival of many other plants and animals. For instance, they enhance biodiversity by creating habitats for certain plants that might otherwise struggle to thrive. Additionally, their droppings are nutrient-rich, enriching the soil. Their presence benefits not only plants but also other animals, as the burrows they dig are utilized by various species.
Reproduction
European rabbits can have offspring 5-7 times a year, with a short gestation period of 4-5 weeks, typically giving birth to around 5-6 babies per litter. They reproduce quite rapidly. The young ones stay in a small burrow specially dug for them during their first few days. This burrow is well camouflaged, as the entrance is hidden under grass and leaves. After 10 days, the babies open their eyes, they venture out of the burrow after three weeks, and by four weeks, they are already independent.
Can European Rabbits and European Hares Reproduce?
No, European rabbits and European hares can't reproduce together. They have different chromosome numbers, which prevents them from producing offspring.
The Rabbit Is Related To:
- Bristly Rabbit
- Central African Rabbit
- Pygmy Rabbit
- Volcano Rabbit
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Badger
- Brimstone Butterfly
- Eagle
- Hedgehog
- Magpie
- Microbat
- Red Fox
- Lynx
- Pigeon
- Raven
- Weasel
- Wolf
- Wolverine
Featured Posts:
Sources:
- "European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) engineering effects promote plant heterogeneity in Mediterranean dehesa pastures" (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
- "Key role of European rabbits in the conservation of the Western Mediterranean basin hotspot" (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- "Longevity record for a wild European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) from South Australia" (https://www.researchgate.net)
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