Rabbits are eight species in the Leporidae Family, which also includes the hare and pika (as seen earlier in this blog). The most significant is the European Rabbit - who will be featured here shortly - which has been widely introduced across the world, farmed and domesticated. He can be naturally found in southeast Europe and northern Africa, which means he is not even native to England. Although in his native range he is on the decline, he has established himself as a pest in New Zealand and Australia. Rabbits are social, with up to ten individuals sharing the same warren, or tunnel system. At dawn and dusk, he ventures out of his burrow to graze on grass or browse on leaves. He will sometimes come out during the day - provided there is good cover to protect him from danger. Rabbits are noted for their reproductive capacity - female ovulate immediately upon being mated and give birth to up to twelve kits at a time. She is sexually mature at four months of age and can produce multiple litters each year. Dominant males will have multiple mates, whereas lower ranking males form a monogamous partnership.
One of my favourite books of all time, is "Watership Down", and much of its information about rabbit behaviour is factually correct.
This rabbit is an Enderby Island rabbit. This "rare breed" was introduced to the sub-Antarctic Enderby Island to provide a food source for sailors. They quickly spread across the island, lacking in predators. In the 1990s, the island's restoration period began, with a number of the rabbits being removed and the remainder exterminated.
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