Rabbit: The Gentle and Fast-Moving Herbivore
Rabbits are small, gentle mammals known for their long ears, soft fur, and powerful hind legs. Found in grasslands, forests, deserts, and farmlands across the world, rabbits are highly adaptable animals. They play an important role in ecosystems as prey species and are also popular as pets due to their calm and social nature.
Fun Facts
- Rabbits can run up to 40–50 km/h to escape predators.
- Their ears can rotate almost 180 degrees to detect sounds from different directions
- A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing, so they constantly chew to wear them down.
- Rabbits perform a joyful jump called a “binky” when they are happy.
- Baby rabbits are called kits or kittens.
- Rabbits can see nearly 360 degrees, helping them spot danger quickly.
- A group of rabbits is called a colony or warren.
Scientific Information
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Lagomorpha
- Family: Leporidae
- Scientific Name (European Rabbit): Oryctolagus cuniculus
- Lifespan: 8–12 years (domestic), 1–3 years (wild)
- Diet: Herbivore (grass, leaves, vegetables, bark)
- Habitat: Grasslands, forests, deserts, farmlands
- Body Length: 20–50 cm
Habits & Behavior of Rabbits
- Rabbits are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk.
- They live in burrows called warrens, which provide safety from predators.
- Rabbits use thumping their hind legs to warn others of danger.
- They are social animals and often live in groups.
- Rabbits groom themselves frequently to keep clean.
- When threatened, rabbits rely on speed, zigzag running, and hiding to survive.
