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| European (Common) Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 5 2012, 07:48 AM (3,584 Views) | |
| Elephantus | Jul 5 2012, 07:48 AM Post #1 |
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Tusker
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European (Common) Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha Family: Leporidae Genus: Oryctolagus Species: Oryctolagus cuniculus The European Rabbit or Common Rabbit is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe (Spain and Portugal) and north west Africa (Morocco and Algeria). It has been widely introduced elsewhere, often with devastating effects on local biodiversity. However, its decline in its native range (caused by the diseases myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus as well as over-hunting and habitat loss) has caused the decline of its highly dependent predators, the Iberian Lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle. Habitat Originally native to the Iberian peninsula, the rabbit has been introduced throughout Europe (including Britain), Australia, and New Zealand. In the latter two countries,it has caused many problems within the environment and ecosystems as well. Australia has the most problems with European Rabbits, due to the lack of natural predators there. Typically, these rabbits live in thickets, forests, meadows, and woods. Description The European Rabbit is a small, grey-brown mammal ranging from 34–45 cm (13-18 in) in length, and is approximately 1.3-2.2 kg (3-5 lb) in weight. As a lagomorph, it has four sharp incisors (two on top, two on bottom) that grow continuously throughout its life, and two peg teeth on the top behind the incisors, dissimilar to those of rodents (which have only 2 each, top and bottom). Rabbits have long ears, large hind legs, and short, fluffy tails. Rabbits move by hopping, using their long and powerful hind legs. To facilitate quick movement, a rabbit's hind feet have a thick padding of fur to dampen the shock of rapid hopping. Their toes are long, and are webbed to keep from spreading apart as the animal jumps. ![]() Ecology Rabbits are gregarious, social animals, living in medium-sized colonies known as warrens. Rabbits are largely crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk, although they are not infrequently seen active during the day. During the day, rabbits prefer to reside in vegetated patches which they use for protection from predators. At night, they move into open prairie to feed. Rabbits are essentially mixed-feeders, both grazing and browsing, but grass is their primary food source. They nevertheless have a diverse diet of grasses, leaves, buds, tree bark, and roots. They will also eat lettuce, cabbage, root vegetables, and grains. Birds of prey are the primary predators of rabbits in scrublands. Rabbits in grasslands are preyed on by carnivores. Ecotone rabbits are preyed on by both. ![]() Reproduction The gestation cycle for a rabbit averages 31 days, although it can vary anywhere between 29 and 35 days. Litter sizes generally range between 2 to 12 rabbits. The young are born in a nesting burrow dug by the female, which she returns to once a day for four weeks in order for them to suckle. The rabbit's reproductive abilities were the inspiration for the phrase "breeding like rabbits". They can reproduce from 3–4 months of age. They can produce 4-7 litters of offspring per year, a mature female can be pregnant continuously for 6–8 months. One single pair of mature rabbits are able to produce 30-40 offspring per year. Edited by Taipan, Jul 7 2012, 05:20 PM.
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| Mesopredator | Dec 23 2012, 11:17 PM Post #2 |
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Disaster taxa
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It's interesting how introduced rabbits are being part of the food chain. Foxes and feral cats almost exclusively eat rabbits in Australia. Same goes for dingo's and wedge-tailed eagles. From rapports I read this does not control the population of rabbits, the rabbits simply support predators. Here in the Netherlands rabbits are a important part of the diet of foxes and also feral cats. Northern Goshawk, Earasian Eagle-Owls also prey on rabbits. |
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5:03 AM Jul 12