Rabbits are one of most familiar animals and favorite pets. Rabbits
are small mammals in the family Leporidae Rabbits are mammals which
belong to the 'Lagomorph' order (Lagomorph means 'hare-shaped') that
also includes hares and pikas.
As the are quiet and
unassuming in behavior, they are increasing in popularity as pets. Rabbits are similar to rodents in that
they have incisor teeth that continually grow. An adult rabbit can grow
up to 40-70 centimeters in length and weigh between 1-4kg and more. Both
male and female rabbits are similar in size; however, young
rabbits are smaller. The domestic pet rabbit is available in many
different breeds and colors ranging greatly in size. Rabbits are
herbivores (plant eating) and have a high reproduction rate. They have
long ears, powerful hind legs with long feet and a short, furry,
upturned tail.
Scientific Information
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Lagomorpha
Family:
Leporidae
Physical Attributes: Both male and female rabbits are similar
in size; however, young rabbits are smaller. The domestic pet rabbit is
available in many different breeds and colors ranging greatly in size.
Rabbits are herbivores (plant eating) and have a high reproduction rate.
They have long ears, powerful hind legs with long feet and a short,
furry, upturned tail.
Reproductive System: After a gestation period of 29-30 days a
female rabbit can give birth to litters of seven to eight young. A
combination of factors allows the high rates of reproduction commonly
associated with rabbits. Rabbits generally are able to breed at a young
age usually from February through September, and can often doing so four
or five times a year. Newborn rabbits are naked and blind at birth.
Major Breeds of Rabbits:
American Fuzzy Lop: This breed can be found in variety of
colors. It has compact muscular body dense, coarse coat, and of course,
ears folded over to slightly below the jaw. The weight of this breed is
approximately 3.5-4 lbs (1.6-1.8 kg).
Argentes: This breed of rabbits usually in Black, blue, brown, or
creamy white. The approximate weight of this breed is 5-8 lbs (2.3-3.6
kg).
Californian: This breed of rabbit has medium and rounded body and
short smooth coat. The weight of this breed is 8-12 lbs (3.6-4.5 kg).
Belgian Hare: The appearance of this breed Reddish tan or
chestnut with slate blue undercoloring and weight is 6-9.5 lbs (2.7-4.3
kg).
French Lop: This is heavy built and muscular breed of rabbits and
weigh upto 10 lbs (4.5 kg) and over.
Himilayan: This breed can be found in Black, blue, chocolate,
lilac and weigh upto 2.5-4.5 lbs (1.1-2 kg).
Caring for Rabbits: Keeping a rabbit requires lots of commitment
to care for it during its life time which could be 8-12 years or longer.
The commitment required includes not only routine feeding, care and time
spent with the rabbit but also the provision of veterinary treatment if
the rabbit becomes ill which can be costly. Keeping a rabbit as pet
requires a good training system to prevent unnecessary destructions or
hassle. For example, furniture and carpet chewing problems, pseudo
pregnancy symptoms, litter problems, fights, behavioral problems,
rabbit-house worries, sickness, fleas, predators and etc. Nevertheless,
these challenges can be overcome when the owners have the knowledge and
experience to deal with them. Thus, one of the recommended ways to
acquire the important knowledge is to read widely and exchange practical
information with experienced rabbit
owners. It is important to watch out for any abnormalities in your
rabbits as rabbits are susceptible to various digestive ailments and
other life-threatening diseases. For example, rabbits are vulnerable to
myxomatosis and VHD viruses. These are the killer viruses!
Diet:
Rabbits are herbivores who feed by grazing on grass, forbs, and leafy
weeds. In addition, their diet contains large amounts of cellulose,
which is hard to digest. But Rabbits have a great ability to digest
cellulose and fiber which other pets usually don’t have. Rabbits can
digest cellulose because they have the bacteria towards the end of their
intestines which is responsible for its digestion. They reingest their
own droppings; err rather than chewing the cud as the herbivores animals
do to digest their food and to extract the sufficient nutrients.
Rabbits as pets:
Pet rabbits are basically referred as house rabbits as they kept
indoors. Because of their easy going temperament rabbits fit well in
multi-pet homes. House rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and some can
learn to come when they called. Domestic rabbits that do not live
indoors can also often serve as companions for their owners, typically
living in an easily accessible hutch outside the home
