Domestic Rabbitアナウサギ（カイウサギ）
Oryctolagus cuniculusNE— Not Evaluated
The domestic rabbit descends from the European rabbit of Iberia and northwestern Africa, first domesticated by the Romans roughly 2,000 years ago and since bred into more than 300 recognized breeds worldwide. A social, burrowing herbivore, it thrives on a diet of hay and fresh vegetables and remains one of the most popular companion animals globally. As a domestic species it falls outside IUCN evaluation, though its wild ancestor is now classified as Endangered due to disease and habitat loss.
Domestic Rabbit (reference photo)
Species Data
- Classification
- Lagomorpha / Leporidae Source
- Size
- The wild type (European rabbit) has a body length of about 35–50 cm and ears about 6.5–8.5 cm; domestic rabbits vary enormously by breed
- Weight
- About 1.5–3 kg in the wild type; domestic rabbits range by breed from small varieties like the Netherland Dwarf to large breeds weighing several kilograms
- Lifespan
- Said to rarely exceed 9 years in either the wild or captivity, though one pet lived nearly 19 years
- Diet
- Herbivore Herbivorous, with hay (such as timothy) as the staple, supplemented by pellets and fresh vegetables; the wild type eats grasses, bark, and roots
- Activity
- Tends to be crepuscular to nocturnal; digs complex burrow systems and lives in groups
- Distribution
- The domestic rabbit descends from the European rabbit, native to Iberia, western France, and northwestern Africa, and was first domesticated by the Romans around the 1st century BC. It is now kept worldwide, with hundreds of breeds recognized across more than 70 countries. Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- In 1859, Australian settler Thomas Austin released just 24 rabbits for hunting, and their explosive population growth caused severe agricultural and ecological damage across the continent. Source
- In Japan, a feral rabbit population on the Nanatsu Islands descended from just four escaped animals was targeted for eradication starting in 1990, with success declared on May 21, 2019. Source
- By 2017, at least 305 recognized breeds of domestic rabbit existed, varying widely in size, coat color, and ear shape. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated (NE)
Sources
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FAQ
- Where did domestic rabbits originally come from?
- They descend from the European rabbit, native to the Iberian Peninsula, western France, and parts of northwestern Africa, and were first domesticated by the Romans around the 1st century BC. Source
- Why did rabbits become such a problem in Australia?
- In 1859, a settler released just 24 rabbits for hunting purposes. With no natural predators and ideal breeding conditions, their population exploded and caused widespread agricultural and ecological damage that continues to be managed today. Source
- How many breeds of domestic rabbit are there?
- At least 305 breeds were recognized as of 2017, varying widely in size, coat color, and ear shape, and they are kept in more than 70 countries. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org