Rabbits are the cutest and most vulnerable-looking domestic animals. Almost all the countries of the world, they are found inhabiting. Deserts to tropical forests and wetlands are the natural habitats of rabbits. A male rabbit is called a “buck.” A female is called a “doe.” A baby rabbit is a “kit“. The babies are referred to as a litter. Some interesting facts and amazing information about rabbits are provided in this article.
Classification of Rabbits
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammaliaa
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Colors: Shades of brown, gray and buff
Genera: Seven (Pentalagus, Bunolagus, Nesolagus, Romerolagus, Brachylagus, Sylvilagus, Oryctolagus and Poelagus)
Facts about Rabbits:
- There are over 45 recognized breeds of rabbits.
- Rabbits are not rodents, but they belong to lagomorphs order.
- Rabbits are herbivores and eat carrots, vegetables, tree barks and herbs.
- Rabbits are social, loving and interactive animals.
- Rabbits weigh between 2 to 11 pounds.
- Rabbits have 3 pairs of scent glands located under the chin, anal and inguinal glands.
- Rabbits live in groups called herd in a warren.
- Rabbits have a very good memory.
- Each rabbit has his own distinct identity.
- Rabbits have long sensitive ears, which can turn in any direction and can also help in regulating their temperature.
- Rabbits can make various sounds.
- Rabbits have large eyes and a blind spot right in front of their face.
- Rabbits can see behind themselves without rotating their heads.
- A male rabbit is called buck and a female one is called doe.
- A baby rabbit is called kitten or a kit.
- Rabbits are crepuscular, that is they are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Rabbits have 28 teeth, which keeps on growing continuously throughout its life.
- After birth, the baby rabbits are collectively known as litter.
- Rabbits can mate when they are 3 months old.
- Rabbits can produce babies when they are 6 months old.
- Rabbits can produce 20-40 babies in a year.
- Size of the litter is usually between 4-8 kits.
- The gestation period of rabbit is about 30 days.
- Babies are born blind and without fur.
- Babies open their eyes at about 10 days.
- Kits get weaned at about 6-8 weeks.
- Rabbits feed their babies only for about 5 minutes a day.
- Rabbits can jump as long as 36 inches and higher.
- Rabbits can run about 35 miles an hour.
- Average lifespan of a rabbit is about 8-10 years.
- Rabbit meat is all white meat, which is lower in cholesterol, fat and calories.
- Rabbits can’t vomit.
- Droppings of rabbits serve as an excellent garden fertilizer.
- Rabbits are very susceptible to over heating and can suffer from a heat stroke.
- Rabbit does chew 120 times a minute and has over 17,000 taste buds.
- Domestic rabbits can’t breed with the wild ones.
- Rabbits eat their night droppings called cecotropes, which are good sources of nutrients.
- When rabbits are happy, they perform a series of jumps, twists and runs, which is termed as binky.
- Spaying and neutering a rabbit is very much essential for maintaining good health.
- Rabbits clean up themselves.
- Rabbits require a four hours exercise a day. They can suffer from osteoporosis if they don’t get enough exercise.
- Rabbit’s diet is equally important. The wrong food can kill a rabbit.
- Rabbits don’t like being picked up.
Source: buzzle.com
