Rabbits

Rabbit Facts

Rabbit Terminology:

• Female rabbits are called a doe.

• Male rabbits are called a buck.

• Baby rabbits are called a kit, kitten, or bunny.

Rabbit Groups and Terminology:

• The term bunny is used informally for rabbits in general.

• A group of rabbits is called a colony or nest.

Rabbit Breeds and Characteristics:

• There are approximately 60 recognized breeds of rabbits.

• The largest breed of rabbit is the Flemish Giant that can weigh as much as 22 pounds.

• Rabbits have 5 toes on each of their front paws and 4 toes on each of their hind feet. They do not have pads on their paws.

• Rabbits can see nearly 360°, with a small blind spot at the bridge of their nose.

• Rabbits will pause when threatened to observe and then warn others by making a powerful thump on the ground with their hind legs.

Reproduction and Growth:

• The average gestation length is about 28 days.

• Birthing is known as kindling. Depending on the breed, rabbits have between two and ten kits per litter.

• Rabbits are altricial, meaning their babies are born blind and hairless. They begin to grow fur at 7 days old, and their eyes open around 10 days old.

Diet and Uses:

• Rabbits are herbivores (vegetarian), with a diet consisting of good quality pellets, fresh hay (timothy, alfalfa, or oat), fresh vegetables, and water.

• Rabbits can be used for various purposes, including as pets, show animals, fur animals, or meat animals.

Population and Lifespan:

• More than half the world's rabbit population resides in North America.

• The average life expectancy for a rabbit is between 8 to 12 years.