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Rabbit
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Cottontail's Genus: Sylvilagus
Domesticated and European's Genus: Oryctolagus
Introduction
The rabbit and the hare are closely related species and in fact they have the same order name. It is easiest to identify which animal is a hare and which is a rabbit right after birth. The hare has their eyes open and have fur. Their mothers will not mak e nests for them where as rabbit mothers do make nests.
Anatomy
Rabbits are characterized by their long hind legs, ears and their furry legs. Rabbits in the wild are smaller in length and wieght then domasticated ones. A cottentail will average to be 6 pounds in weight and 21 1/2 inches in length; whereas, the Europea n rabbits weighs only 5 pounds and reaches a length of 18 inches.
The rabbits ears and eyes are very important to rabbits. The eyes, with their special positioning, are used to alert themselves to danger. Length of the ears provide two functions. One function is to help catch more sound from different directions at one time. Secondly, they help to cool the rabbit.
Rabbit Records
The largest rabbit is known as the White Flemish Giant. It is a well-earned name as they can weigh up to 17 pounds! The smallest rabbits measure only 12 inches in length and are known as volcano rabbit.
Diet
Rabbit's diets change during the year as the vegetation changes. Most green vegetation will do in the summertime including weeds, grasses, clover or crops. In the winter, when this nutrient rich food isn't available, they will eat bark and twigs. In addi tion, they will also eat fruit and berries off of trees, sometimes damaging them.
Reproduction
A rabbit has a short life and therefore must reproduce as fast as possible. The mating season last as long as green food is plentiful. Through this time one litter is produced per month, and each rabbit has more then one litter. The gestation time for th e rabbit is approximently 26 to 30 days.
After these baby rabbits, which are known as kittens or kits, are born, they stay in a warm nest hte mother has prepared. This nest is usually a hole dug in the ground which is lined with her own fur and also grass. After approximently two weeks the new k its leave the form and begin to explore. A form is a shallow hole rabbits live in.
