Rabbits are small mammals with fluffy, short tails, whiskers and distinctive long ears. There are about 30 species of rabbits around the world, and while they live in many different environments, they have many things in common.
Fast Facts about Rabbits
1. Rabbits are herbivores. This means that they have a plant-based diet and do not eat meat.
2. Rabbits and bunnies are the same animal – there’s no difference in breed or species, just the word we prefer.
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3. A baby rabbit is called a kit, a female is called a doe, and a male is a buck. A group of rabbits is called a herd.
4. Rabbits have long ears which can be as long as 10 cm (4 in).
5. Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell, hearing and vision. They have nearly 360° panoramic vision, allowing them to detect predators from all directions. They can see everything behind them and only have a small blind-spot in front of their nose.
6. Rabbits stand upright on their hind legs to give themselves a better vantage point to look for predators. They alert other rabbits to the presence of danger by thumping their hind legs.
7. Rabbits have extremely strong hind limbs which allow them to leap great distances. They can jump up to one metre high and three metres long.
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8. Rabbits have 28 teeth. A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing!
9. When rabbits ‘binky’, this is an expression of joy. They will run, jump into the air, twist their body and flick their feet.
10. Rabbits can be very crafty and quick. To get away from a predator, a cottontail rabbit will run in a zigzag pattern and reach speeds of up to 18 miles an hour. They have a lifespan of around 10 years.
