Animal Behaviour - Applied Rabbit Ethology
The domestic rabbit is scientifically known as Oryctolagus cuniculus. This species originates from the European wild rabbit and has been domesticated for companionship, meat, and fur. Understanding its natural behaviours is key to proper welfare and care.
What is the latin name for the domestic rabbit?
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Key Terms
What is the latin name for the domestic rabbit?
Oryctolagus cuniculus
What is the domestic rabbit descended from?
European wild rabbit
Where were rabbits domesticated?
Originated Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)
Romans kept for meat and fur - Roman Empire
Catholics banned in European monasteries ...
Give 3 reasons rabbits are good for meat production
Efficent plant -> meat conversion. Ceacotrophs
20% meat consumed converted to meat as opposed to 12% in cows
Can be fed on a wide va...
What 3 reasons were rabbits prime candidates for domestication?
Efficient meat production
Size - easily transported and maintained in small areas
Prolific - up to 40 kits a year
Give 6 uses of rabbits over the centuries
Meat
Scientific model
Hobby
pet
Fur
Rabbit fancy - changes in anatomy so great they can't function any more
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is the latin name for the domestic rabbit? | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
What is the domestic rabbit descended from? | European wild rabbit |
Where were rabbits domesticated? | Originated Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) Romans kept for meat and fur - Roman Empire Catholics banned in European monasteries from eating any meat apart from fish and baby rabbits - monks domesticated based on size and tameness |
Give 3 reasons rabbits are good for meat production | Efficent plant -> meat conversion. Ceacotrophs 20% meat consumed converted to meat as opposed to 12% in cows Can be fed on a wide variety of foodstuffs |
What 3 reasons were rabbits prime candidates for domestication? | Efficient meat production Size - easily transported and maintained in small areas Prolific - up to 40 kits a year |
Give 6 uses of rabbits over the centuries | Meat Scientific model Hobby pet Fur Rabbit fancy - changes in anatomy so great they can't function any more |
Does the behavioural repertoire of wild and domestic rabbits differ? | Not really |
Which rabbits dig the burrows? | The does |
What is the average life span of a wild and captive rabbit? | 1 year wild |
When are rabbits most active? What is this called? | Nocturnal/Crepuscular (Dawn/Dusk) |
What social groups do rabbits live in? | Colonies of ~70 Consists of distinct groups - 1 buck and several related does, each defending 0.5 - 15 acres territory Also have home ranges outside of their individual territory which may overlap with other social groups |
When is territory defense more vigourous? | Run up to breeding season |
How are individuals within a group related? | Usually through the female line |
How long do kits remain in the natal group? | Until sexual maturity (4months) |
Are rabbit societies hierarchical? | Yes - higher ranking rabbits have priority access to food, shelter, breeding sites for females and females for males! Female and male hierarchies are separate |
How much of the day will usually be spent grazing? | 70% |
What happens if rabbits do not eat for ~24hours? | ^bacterial count in GIT -> death |
What tooth structure do rabbits have? | Hypsodont - teeth constantly grow |
What are the 3 types of feeding behaviour? | Casual feeding near burrow Voracious feeding - poor weather, dangerous location Normal feeding - within territory, zigzagging, selecting best food |
When is the reproductive season? | Jan-July |
What age is sexual maturity? | 4 months |
How many litters can a rabbit have per season? | 5 |
What type of ovulators are rabbits? | Copulation induced |
How long is rabbit gestation? | 30 days |
What is the purpose of the dulap? | Fur picked out to make nest |
What is a nest stop? | A private burrow the doe digs to make a nest at the end of |
What type of neonates are kits? | Altricial |
What does altricial mean? | Born blind, without fur, immobile |
How does the mother care for the babies? | Absentee maternal care - only feeds them once a day |
What is the only functioning sense at birth? When do other senses develop? | Olfaction 7 days - hearing 10 days - vision |
At what age do kits emerge from the nest? | 2-3 weeks |
What age are kits weaned? | 4-5 weeks |
What is the socialisation period of kits? | < 2 weeks |
What is the major form of communication in rabbits? | Olfactory | Visual and auditory limited roles |
What behaviour demonstrates threat sensed nearby? | Flicking tail up (in wild rabbits would be white) |
How may visual communication occur? | Body language - tense/alert or calm/relaxed |
What types of auditory communication may rabbits use? | Throaty grunts for defence Thumping for dnager Squal in fear Purring at mating Teeth "gnashing" if RELAXED Teeth grinding if in pain |
What olfactory signals are used for communication? | Pheremones in urine and glands under tail and chin | Marking/spraying - territory/stress |
Why are the conditions rabbits generally kept in not ideal? | single small area minimal forage no burrowing no hiding places kept near predators non-nocturnal schedule scent environment destroyed when cleaned out fed concentrates (gut stasis, teeth issues) kept with guinae pigs, rabbits will bully them! |
What behavioural problems may be displayed? | over grooming due to pain oral sterotypies territorial aggression anxiety aggression spraying (usually towards other rabbits from other social groups) intraspecies aggression if resources limited |
Should tonic immobility be utilised? | NO! Still stressful. |
How should rabbits from other social groups be introduced? | Scent rubbing/mixing Check no reaction to this Postiive reinforcement Visual contact before mixing |
How may territorial aggression be treated? | Neutering may help, but may have learned component |
How may behavioural problems be treated? | Larger run - grass, forage, space Chew toys are NOT GOOD - only grind front teeth Puzzle feeder Move food away from bed - poo as they eat Do not give cat litter - may confuse for food and eat Family groups better than random Clicker training Socialisation Desensitisation and frequent positive interaction |