Oryctolagus cuniculus, European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus, also called a European, and Old World, ar a domestic rabbit, is the only species in its genus. The last ice age confined the species to the Iberian peninsula and small areas of France and northwest Africa, but due to human action and adaptability of this species, European rabbits today exist in the wild on every continent except Asia and Antarctica. Domesticated O. cuniculus may be found worldwide.

Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Lagomorpha

Family: Leporidae

Genus: Oryctolagus

Species: cuniculus

Latin Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus ( Oryct is Greek for digger, lag is Greek for hare and cunniculus is Latin for burrowing. )
Female: Doe
Male: Buck
Young: Kittens
Life span: 5-8 years (domesticated)
Litter Size: 4-12 kittens
Birth weight: 30 – 80g
Eyes open: 10 days
Gestation period: 30-33 days
Average weight: Male 1– 5 kg Female 1– 8 kg
Sexual maturity: 16- 24 weeks
Breeding interval: Breeding may occur approx. monthly
Breeding season: Breed throughout the year, although most breeding takes place in the first half of the year.
Weaning age : 4 - 7 weeks
Diet : Herbivorous (feed on grasses, leaves, buds, tree bark, and roots; lettuce, cabbage, root vegetables, and grains )

Habitat: The preferred habitats of this species include dry areas near sea level with soft, sandy soil (for easy burrowing). Brushy fields are preferred for the cover they provide, but forests are also inhabited. Cultivated land was once well-suited, but this is no longer the case due to modern plowing techniques which destroy rabbit burrows. Particularly in central Europe, O. cuniculus has learned to coexist with humans in cities, making its home in parks and cemeteries as well as gardens and lawns. Human activities, particularly the spread of agriculture, have often inadvertently helped this species to colonize new areas.

Reproduction : Rabbits are well-known for their reproductive capacity. Females experience postpartum estrus and thus may have several litters per year, though spontaneous abortions and resorption of embryos are common (possibly due to environmental or social stresses).

One reason for the reproductive success of rabbits is induced ovulation, where eggs are only released in response to copulation. Rabbit placentae allow an unusually high degree of contact between maternal and fetal bloodstreams, a condition they share with humans. Thus, they are useful models for the study of human pregnancy and fetal development.

Neonates, called kittens, are naked, blind and helpless. The mother visits the nest for only a few minutes each day to nurse them, but the milk is extremely rich. Young are weaned at four weeks of age, attain sexual maturity at about eight months, and can live up to nine years old. However, mortality rates in the first year of life frequently exceed 90%.

Mating in rabbits is generally plygynandrous, though males will attempt to monopolize particular females. Males take no part in the care of the young.

Behaviour : Oryctolagus cuniculus is generally nocturnal, spending its days underground and foraging from evening until morning. Though generally silent, rabbits are capable of making loud screams when frightened or injured. They communicate with each other through scent cues and touch, and thump their hindlimbs on the ground to warn of danger.



More Facts
Originally the European rabbit was found in the regions of Spain, Portugal and North West Africa. They were wild animals. Rabbits were introduced to England in the 11th century and used for sport, meat and, in some cases, fur (such as the Angora rabbits whose fur was spun for wool). Along the way, the process of domestication began by keeping rabbits in hutches for breeding and meat production.

Rabbits were then bred for colour and also to partake in friendly competitions. By the 19th century rabbits had become pets. The first true “fancy” breed was the English lop; this was followed by the English (spotted) and the Angora. Specialist breed clubs began to spring up with Rabbit Fanciers “showing” their new breeds. This is now a very popular pastime world wide.