Did you know?
A rabbit is a Lagomorpha (rabbits, pikas and hares), "Lago" Greek for rabbit. A common mistake is to class the rabbit as a rodent, however, the rabbit has two sets of top incisors placed one behind the other, which unables them to chew, whereas the rodent has only one set, and is therefore unable to chew.
It was about 1000 BC that the rabbit was mentioned by the Phoenician traders of the Mediterranean (Asia). On one of their sea voyages to Spain they spotted these creatures living in burrows. The European rabbit was also spotted in Portugal and North West Africa.
Rabbits were introduced into England in the 11th Century and used for sport, meat and fur (fur of the Angora rabbit spun for wool).
Along the way a process of domestication took place mainly for meat breeding. Rabbits were then bred for colour and to partake in friendly competitions. Rabbits had become pets by the 19th Century. The first true "fancy" breed was the English Lop, this followed by the English (spotted) and the Angora.
Rabbits have adapted lift in the tundra grasslands, desert, forests, marshland, brush and mountains. European species dig elaborate warrens, made up of many individual burrows. Cottontails dig burrows or build nests in the grass. The Mexican Volcano rabbit maintains elaborate runways through dense vegetation.
A happy, healthy bunny can live up to 14 years or more!
Rabbits have very good memories.
Rabbits are crespuscular meaning they are most active at dawn and twilight.
They can make a variety of grunting sounds.
There is an odourless scent gland under their chins, which they use to leave their scent and "chin everything and everyone"!
When happy, a bunny will perform a series of hops, jumps, twists, this is known as "binky".
A rabbit's teeth will continue to grow throughout its life, at a rate of aproximately 1/2 inch per month.
A rabbit's ears help regulate their temperature.
Because rabbits are prey animals they will hide any illness or injury. By keeping a watchful eye over your bunny will determine any warning signs that they are not well.
Thumping of their back feet is a warning sign, telling you, or other rabbits that their is danger approaching.
Rabbits have 28 teeth.
There are 9 breeds of Lops : starting with the biggest : French Lop, German Lop, English Lop, Meissner Lop, Dwarf Lop, Cashmere Lop, Mini Cashmere Lop, Miniature Lop, and Lionhead Lop.
Female rabbits have a heat cycle of every 5 days, - oestrus. They are induced ovulators, and drop their eggs after mating.
Rabbits can run up to 35 mph.
Rabbits twitch their noses from 20-120 times per minute to expose more sensory pads to detect smells.
A rabbit's whiskers are as long as they are wide to help judge distances.
The force of a rabbit's kick can break its backbone!
When a rabbit runs circles around your feet, this is a sign of sexual behavious, and a way of displaying their love for you!
Rabbits are creatures of habit and do not like it if you re-arrange their things.
A rabbit has binocular vision and is able to view full angle of 360 degrees. They have both rods and cones in the retina, so are sensitive to blues and greens present at twilight.
There are two types of rabbit droppings, one being caecotrophs night time pellet. These are re-injested as it contains extra nutrients manufactured by bacteria in the rabbit.
The next Chinese year of the Rabbit is 2011. The rabbit is the symbol of longevity. The Chinese believe a person to be born in this year is very fortunate.
"Lucky rabbit's foot" is a superstition thought to date from around 600bc, due to the fact that rabbits and hares are prolific breeders; the foot is a symbol of fertility. Good luck, good crops, and many children!
The largest breed of rabbit is the Flemish Giant.
The smallest breed is the Netherland Dwarf
There are over 45 recognised breeds of rabbit.
A rabbit has three eye lids, upper, lower and inner.
Some rabbits can jump as high as 16 feet.
The skeleton of a rabbit comprises only 8% of his body weight.
Rabbits sometimes excrete red urine, which is not caused by blood but rather pigments in plants or vegetation which have been eaten.
Rabbits cannot vomit.
They sleep up to 16 times a day!