Rabbit
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A favourite pet for many British households, the rabbit is one of the most successful small mammals in the world. Large ears and eyes positioned high on each side of the head mean rabbits have excellent hearing and 360-degree vision, allowing them to perceive danger quickly and evade predators. Their elongated back legs also enable to reach impressive running speeds. Their feet are padded with fur that provide grip when running in various terrain.
In the wild, the rabbit’s natural predators are carnivores and birds, and they’re also hunted by humans for food and fur. Some species of rabbit, like the Volcano Rabbit from Mexico or the Amami Rabbit from Japan are listed as Endangered, whilst other more common species have healthy numbers. The European Rabbit is currently listed as Near Threatened because of the extent of recent declines across its native range.
Conservation status | Not evaluated
Fact Sheet
Scientific name
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Family
Leporidae
Order
Lagomorpha
Lifespan
3 year in the wild, 7 to 10 years in captivity