Rabbits, Bunnies, Hares, and LeveretsRabbits have been around for a long time. However, the history of rabbits contains some interesting errors. The Phoenicians were the first people to discover rabbits. At around 1100 B.C., Phoenician seafarers found rabbits in the approximate region of what is today Spain and Portugal. The Phoenicians called the rabbits "i-shepan-im." This name was accepted by the Romans, who then added this word into their language, which later interestingly evolved to become the Latin name Hispania for Spain! Soon after these wild rabbits were discovered, they were first tamed when the Romans raised them for meat, keeping them in open-aired enclosures much like chickens on a farm. Then, much later in the sixteenth century, the process of selective breeding and the keeping of rabbits as pets began. In fact, most of the wild and domestic rabbits in the world today are direct descendants of the Old World/European wild rabbits that have been domesticated for centuries. The most common types of wild rabbits in North America are cottontails, snowshoe rabbits, and jackrabbits. Another interesting error in the history of rabbits is that rabbits were originally classified as rodents because of their small size and prominent buck teeth. But both hares and rabbits are classified into a class of creatures called the Lagomorphs. Hares and rabbits are different subspecies of the same family, kind of like how orangutans and gorillas are different subspecies of the ape family. Although in the same family, hares and rabbits are so very different in their appearance and behavioral traits that they cannot produce offspring together. After we take a brief look at the fascinating differences between hares and rabbits, we will be focusing on rabbits and especially domestic rabbits that many of you see at Easter and in your local pet store year-round. Hares are generally faster, more active, and hardier than rabbits. In fact, they usually prefer to run rather than hide from enemies. They are also usually larger and have longer ears and legs than rabbits. Hares give birth to active, fur-covered babies with open eyes and young hares are called leverets. Hares prefer to and usually live alone or just pair off with one mate. In short, Bugs Bunny is more likely a hare rather than a rabbit! Historically, hares have always been and still are usually found only in the wild, and they are rarely domesticated. Rabbits are slower, less hardy, more timid, and appropriately they tend to burrow underground to hide rather than run from enemies like hares do. Young rabbits are called bunnies or kits, and they are born hairless and blind. Rabbits often prefer to live together in groups, with distinct social orders. A dominant male in the group usually fights off all the other males in an area and mates with all the females in that area. A group of rabbits is called a herd and this group or herd lives in a warren (system of underground burrows built by and for rabbits in the wild). In contrast to hares, rabbits have been domesticated much more than the hares. As you may know, there are many domesticated wild animals that have become well cared for human pets. Among these are birds, fish, dogs, cats, hamsters and many other small animals. Rabbits, however, are often not so blessed with human protection and love. The main reason for this is that rabbits are so easy to use and abuse. Rabbits are highly reproductive, demand little care, adjust easily, and never voice complaints that we can hear. Rabbits produce meat and fur, and serve as research animals in countless laboratories. It is the lucky rabbit that gets adopted by a pet lover. Rabbits actually make very good and loving pets. As mentioned above, rabbits tend to be quite silent, and may occasionally just grunt to show displeasure or express some other strong emotion. However, rabbits are actually quite expressive and full of personality. In fact, rabbits talk to each other and even to their owner constantly, not so much with sounds as with movements. There are large movements such as dancing and grooming, and there are quite small communications such as shifts in position, movements of feet, ears, nose, etc. Like humans and many other creatures, both wild and domestic rabbits prefer to live in groups and are the happiest and live the longest when with others of their kind. As you might imagine, adding a second or third rabbit is easiest if all the rabbits are of the same gender (females still tend to be more peaceful and friendly than males though), or if the rabbits are of different gender then make sure they are all neutered or spayed. Boredom and depression are common symptoms of loneliness in rabbits, and these may be accompanied by destructiveness and hyperactivity in some rabbits, withdrawal in others. Getting your rabbit another companion is an easy way to prevent such problems and you will have two very happy, loving rabbits. Of course, your love and attention will also bring companionship and happiness to the rabbit(s). Do note that two rabbits are generally not much more expensive than one. Pellets, hay, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a few extra scoops of litter lining for two small animals puts little additional strain on the budget. Although rabbits highly prefer one of their own kind as a non-human companion, if you have another small animal or well-mannered large animal, that will work well too. House rabbits and indoor cats can get along fine, as do rabbits and well-mannered dogs. Dogs should be trained to respond to commands before being trusted with a free-running rabbit, and supervision is needed to control a dog's playful impulses (this is especially true for puppies). Lastly, let us look at the huge and exciting variety of domestic rabbits for one to choose from. There are big rabbits, medium rabbits, small rabbits, fluffy rabbits, not so fluffy rabbits, long-eared rabbits, short-eared rabbits, etc. All are very lovely. Currently, there are about 50 recognized breeds! Below we will look at some popular rabbit possibilities for you as well as classify them by size and weight, hair length and type, and ear length and type. Remember that these are just some of the more common breeds of rabbits. There are many others but they may be harder to find. Size and Weight Rabbits that grow to about 12 to 15 pounds and over are called large breeds. Some popular ones are: Hair length and type Rabbits also have many different hair lengths. Most breeds have a normal hair length of about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Rabbits with hair under one inch long are called shorthaired breeds, but their hair length still usually remains at above half an inch. Most rexes are shorthaired. Although their hair is short, their overall fur is as soft as velvet. Angoras and fox rabbits are two longhaired breeds. Their hair is fluffy and wavy and grows to at least 2 1/2 inches in length. Longhaired rabbits require the most maintenance, especially with respect to grooming.
Most rabbit breeds come with upright ears. Rabbits with droopy ears are lops. Lops are some of the cutest breeds of rabbits, and they sometimes even look like little dogs. Rabbits also have different ear lengths. The dwarf rabbit has very short ears. Most other rabbits have medium to long ears that extend straight up. Here are some varieties of ear lengths that you can choose from: Giants' ears grow to over 7 inches. Whatever kind of rabbit you have, or want to get, just treat it well, give it lots of care and love, and your rabbit will make a very good pet who will give you lots of love in return. If you have any more questions regarding rabbits or hares, just ask us and we will help you any way we can. |
