Noble Rabbit

Rabbits are small, shy, furry animals that are found in nearly all parts of the world. They make their homes in meadows, mountains, deserts, rain forests, swamps, and grasslands—even on the frozen tundra. Rabbits thrive in all types of climates. Rabbits live in groups, and the best known species, lives in underground burrows, or rabbit holes. A group of burrows is called a warren.

The rabbit’s long ears, which can be more than 10 cm (4 in) long, are probably an adaptation for detecting predators. They have large, powerful hind legs. The two front paws have 5 toes, the extra called the dewclaw. The hind feet have 4 toes. They are plantigrade animals while at rest; however, they move around on their toes while running, assuming a more digitigrade form. Wild rabbits do not differ much in their body proportions or stance, with full, egg-shaped bodies. Their size can range anywhere from 20 cm (8 in) in length and 0.4 kg in weight to 50 cm (20 in) and more than 2 kg. The fur is most commonly long and soft, with colors such as shades of brown, gray, and buff. The tail is a little plume of brownish fur (white on top for cottontails).

Rabbits are herbivores that feed by grazing on grass, forbs, and leafy weeds. They have two pairs of upper incisors (front teeth). One pair is directly behind the other. They use the incisors to gnaw and clip off plants. Then, they chew their food with sideways movements of the lower jaw, which grinds the food and helps wear down the teeth. Their teeth grow all their lives.

Rabbits have a remarkably wide field of vision, and a good deal of it is devoted to overhead scanning. They can see nearly 360 degrees, with a small blind spot at the bridge of the nose. They survive predation by burrowing, hopping away in a zig-zag motion, and, if captured, delivering powerful kicks with their hind legs. Their strong teeth allow them to eat and to bite in order to escape a struggle.

Rabbits give birth to their young in fur-lined nests. Baby rabbits are born furless and with their eyes closed. They stay in the nest for a couple of weeks. The expected rabbit lifespan is about 9–12 years; the world’s oldest rabbit on record lived 18 years.