Natural History of Rabbits
Modern studies of the species of the rabbits have declared that they
are not part of the rodent family, as believed in earlier times. They
are closer to the hoofed animals. However, their relationship to the
other order of the animals is unknown, thus, rabbits and hares are given
their own order- Lagomorpha.
Lagomorpha is divided into two families, the Leporidae and
Ochotonidae. Rabbbits and hares belong to the Leporidae family and the
pika- with short ears and legs unlike the rabbits- belongs to the
Ochotonidae family. The pikas have become smaller in numbers while the
rabbits and hares are growing with their family consisting of 11 genera
and 38 species.
Teeth
Lagomorphs have 28 teeth in full jaw but other animals of this family
only have 26 teeth because some of them have two less molars in the
upper jaw. There is a pair of incisors teeth in the upper front jaw that
continues to grow as they age needing them to chew constantly to prevent
from growing too long. If the teeth grow too long they will be unable to
feed. No canine teeth are present.
Distribution
Rabbits and hares adapts to varying climates. They are found mostly
in North America and are native to Southwestern Europe and Southeast
Asia. Some parts of Africa and South America are also resided by rabbits
but they are not common in Eurasia although species of hares are
present. They reproduce fast especially if it is not controlled.
Domestic Rabbits
The European Rabbit is the origin of the breeds of rabbits found in
the present day. Its number declined in the last Ice Age but population
was again back in the Middle Ages.
Colony Life
The rabbit’s social structure is based on hierarchy and they live in
colonies. Wild rabbits dig tunnels to form a warren where those of
higher ranks build their nests in the main warren and those of lower
ranks build their nests a bit farther from the main warren. Rabbits like
the dry grassland or the hard or damp earth unlike the hares which
prefer ground surface for their homes. The rabbit’s prime sense is
hearing but they also have better sight than that of a hare. Wild
rabbits consume a lot of meat but those which are domesticated are
herbivores.
Rabbits are known to find the well-known trails and the quickest
routes to their burrows to escape a predator. They also make rapid turns
to confuse their predators. Their speed can reach up to 35kph (21mph).
|
