Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Leporidae Scientific Name : Oryctolagus cuniculus Size : 20 - 50cm (8 - 20in) Weight : 0.5 - 3kg (1.1 - 6.6lbs) Top Speed : 4km/h (2.4mph) Life Span : 4 - 8 years Colour : Brown, Tan, Grey, Black, White Skin Type : Fur Special Features : Long, pointed ears and acute sight, smell and taste
- Rabbits are small mammals found in Europe, South Africa, Sumatra and Japan.
- They also inhabit the greener parts of the deserts of the Middle-East.
- There are around 50 species of rabbits and selective breeding is increasing the number of species.
- Mini Lop is the smallest species of domestic rabbit weighing just about 5 lbs.
- The Flemish giant is the largest species weighing up to 9 kg sometimes.
- Distinctively, rabbits have long pointed ears.
- They have an acute sense of sight, smell and taste.
- Rabbits are herbivores mainly feeding on grass and occasionally on nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables.
- They are quite popular as pets because of their calm and quiet nature.
- The rabbit’s teeth grow continuously and if they do not keep them down by gnawing, they can get dangerously big.
- Their main predators are cats, dogs, foxes, snakes, large birds and humans.
- Unfortunately, they are prone to myxomatosis, a disease which kills the rabbit by rapidly growing tumors.
- On an average the rabbit’s lifespan is between 4-8 years.
- The rabbits are considered as pests by farmers because of their destructive nature around greenery.
- Interestingly, rabbits are considered a symbol of fertility and rebirth and are associated with Easter as Easter bunnies.
- The female rabbit gives birth to around 6 babies per litter after a month long gestation.