Rabbits

Rabbits come in many different breeds, all with different colors, sizes, shapes, and coat types. The subtler differences between rabbit breeds are mostly of interest to those who show their bunnies, while the average owner is focused mainly on the size and type of coat. Keep in mind that a rabbit purchased from a pet store is not necessarily purebred; it may not meet ideal breed standards. Yet this in no way reflects on their quality as a pet and should not deter you from adopting the rabbit that you like.

Anatomy and Appearance

Rabbits do not need to turn their heads to see what’s behind them. They have a 360 degree view and are farsighted, which means, that they perceive objects at large distances very clearly. This allows them to detect approaching enemies very quickly.

The Biggest

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the giant rabbit Ralph is the world’s heaviest rabbit. It weighs 55.1 pounds (25 kg). Its owner has to spend about 60 euro every week to provide enough food for Ralph.

The Smallest

The smallest species among pet rabbits is the Netherland dwarf rabbit. It weighs between 2.4 and 2.9 pounds (1.1 to 1.35 kg).

The Oldest

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s oldest rabbit reached an age of 17 years and two weeks. The Jersey Wooly was born in 1997 and was called “Do”.

The Longest Ears

Nobody needed to pull the English lop rabbit Nipper’s Geronimo by the ears. It had unbelievably long ears: 31.1 pounds (79 cm) long and 7.2 inches (18.4 cm) wide. The ears of our admin at animalfunfacts.net are 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) long and 1.3 inches (3.5 cm) wide. How big is your ear?

Teeth

Like many rodents, rabbits have teeth that never stop growing. However, they never grow too long, as their teeth wear down as they eat.

Rabbits as Pets

Hamsters, chinchillas and mice sleep during daytime. The rabbit is awake and active during the day. This makes it very popular as a pet, but people sometimes misinterpret its behavior. Owners often feel sad and frustrated, because their rabbits are aggressive. But this is just a sign that they are unhappy because they are not kept appropriately.

What Do Rabbits Eat & Drink?

Rabbits are herbivores, and their daily diet should consist mostly of hay. Feed an unlimited amount of grass hay each day, such as timothy, oat hay, or orchard grass; avoid alfalfa hay. You can simply pile the hay in the enclosure, or put it in a special feeder called a hopper. Just make sure there's always some available.

Supplement the hay with a variety of green leafy vegetables. Good choices include lettuces (except iceberg), herbs, watercress, carrot tops, cucumbers, and sprouts. Provide a more limited supply of other vegetables and fruits. Check with your vet on the quantity to feed and to be sure all items you offer are rabbit-safe. You can offer fresh foods once or twice a day, simply placing them in the enclosure near your rabbit. Remove any uneaten fresh food after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

You also can offer a limited amount of commercial rabbit pellets. However, overfeeding pellets can cause digestive issues and obesity.4 So be sure to discuss the feeding amount with your vet. Place a day's worth of pellets in a ceramic bowl. Discard any leftover pellets before feeding the next day's portion.

Finally, rabbits always should have access to fresh water. Use either a ceramic dish or water bottle attached to the side of the enclosure (make sure your rabbit knows how to drink from the bottle), refreshing the water daily.

Lifespan of Rabbits

Male rabbits are called bucks, female rabbits are called does, and rabbit babies are called kits.

The oldest rabbit ever recorded lived to 18 years and ten months. Rabbits in the wild can live anywhere from one to nine years of age due to predators, habitat loss, and being hit by cars.

Stages of a rabbit’s life include the following:

• ​Gestation averages 30–33 days
  
• Average litter size: one to six kits
  
• Kits open their eyes at about ten days and are fully weaned between 4–8 weeks
  
• Puberty starts between 3–5 months of age
  
• Does are fully mature around 7–8 months of age
  
• Bucks are fully mature around 8–9 months
  
• Smaller dwarf breeds can reach sexual maturity between 4–4.5 months of age
  
• Senior rabbits are between ages 5–8 years old, depending on the breed
  

​Generally, spayed or neutered rabbits live between 8–12 years of age. Unspayed female rabbits have a high risk for uterine cancer and often have a shorter lifespan. Genes also play a role in how long rabbits live. For example, Lionhead breeds can live on average seven to nine years, whereas Flemish Giant breeds may live five to eight years due to health issues but can exceed these averages.

When obtaining a rabbit of a specific breed, it is essential for pet parents to research common health issues and discuss with your veterinarian.