RABBIT

Rabbits are small mammals with fluffy, short tails, whiskers and distinctive long ears. There 29 species around the world and, while they live in many different environments, they have many things in common.
Rabbits and hares are in the same taxonomic family, Leporidae, but they are in different genera. There are 11 genera within the family, but the term “true hares” refers only to species in the genus Lepus; all others are rabbits. Also, the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes 49 rabbit breeds.

Some rabbits are about the size of a cat, and some can grow to be as big as a small child. Small rabbits, such as pygmy rabbits, can be as little as 9.3 inches (24 centimeters) in length and weigh less than a pound. Larger species grow to 20 inches (50 cm) and more than 10 lbs. (4.5 kilograms).

Rabbits are known for their insatiable reproductive habits for good reason. They breed three to four times each year. This is because only 15 percent of baby rabbits make it to their first birthday. So, to ensure that the population grows, rabbits have more babies.

Rabbits are herbivores. This means that they have a plant-based diet and do not eat meat. Their diets include grasses, clover and some cruciferous plants, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. They are opportunistic feeders and so they eat fruits, seeds, roots, buds, and tree bark.

Characteristics
A mature rabbit can reach 3-6 kg in weight, depending on sex and breed
- Can live up to 13 years
- Average body temperature: 39 C
- Highly vascularised ears
- Up to 0.5 m long
- Developed incisors
- 4 pairs of mammary glands
- Well-developed hearing

Rabbit rearing is a relatively new sub-branch of animal breeding, providing high quality dietary meat, beautiful hides, fur and other additional products.