Rabbits

The rabbit was introduced into England in the 12^th Century by the Normans
They were originally held in captivity as a food supply
Many escaped and adapted to living in the wild
There are several different classifications of rabbit such as the European rabbit, the Cottontail rabbit and the Amami rabbit among many
The disease myxomatosis was introduced in the 1950s to curb the population
The rabbit is a prolific breeder with the young reaching sexual maturity within months of being born
Rabbits are ground dwellers
They are herbivores, feeding on grass, crops and leafy weeds
They will gnaw tree bark in winter
Rabbits re-swallow 80% of their droppings, known as refection
They graze heavily for half an hour in late afternoon, followed by selective feeding
If the environment is non-threatening, they will graze for hours
Their warrens can be 1 to 2 metres long
Some rabbit species are social, living in groups of 20 rabbits
Others live alone, coming together to breed
They are most active at night
Rabbits communicate with one another by leaving a scent
Rabbits produce up to 7 young per litter
They have 4 to 5 litters a year
Rabbit gestation period is around 28 days
The mother rabbit can be impregnated again 4 days after birth

Nuisance scale: 5/10 MODERATE

Causes damage that can take time and money to repair

Hazard: 8/10 HIGH

Especially when the population is rampant; they can damage trees, decimate crops and create unstable ground, littered with burrows and holes

Length: Between 40 and 45cm

Weight: The largest rabbit can weigh 2kgs