Rabbits are fascinating animals. Since you’re here, I’m willing to bet you think so, too. Below, I’ve compiled my all-time favorite rabbit facts into one convenient location. Whip out this list the next time you want to impress your friends and family. Or just use it as a great way to learn more about our adorable companions.
- Rabbits are crepuscular. This means they are most active in mid-light conditions such as dawn and dusk. They do not like bright daylight or very dark nights, though they can live in those conditions if they must.
- Rabbits are mammals, which is the same class as human beings. Like humans they are warm-blooded, have hair or fur, they give birth to live young, and females produce milk for their babies.
- A female rabbit is referred to as a doe and a male is a buck. While deer also use doe and buck for the adult animals, baby rabbits are not called fawns. They are called kits.
- It’s not normal for rabbits to be solitary in the wild. They usually live in groups. This is why pet rabbits bond so quickly with their humans and do better when they are kept with other rabbits or household pets. Rabbits feel safer in groups, which reduces stress and improves their health.
- Wild rabbits often live in underground homes. They dig them out with their long claws and strong feet. The burrows often connect with other burrows to create what’s known as a rabbit warren.
- North America is home to more than half of the world’s entire rabbit population. Throughout the world, rabbits can be found nearly everywhere. They do not live in Antarctica.
- Highly adaptable, rabbits can live in nearly any climate. They breed fast and evolve quickly, so it doesn’t take long for these versatile animals to adjust to even the harshest conditions.
- Rabbits are herbivores. This means they only eat plants. However, some wild rabbits have been seen eating carrion, or the remains of dead animals. They are thought to only practice this behavior when food is extremely scarce. Other theories are that these were young rabbits simply experimenting with something new.
- Rabbits can be housetrained. They can learn to use a litter box like a cat. They can also learn to use puppy potty pads or to go outside through a pet door. Male rabbits are much harder to housetrain than female rabbits, as they tend to spray urine.
- Baby rabbits are born blind and hairless. They depend on their mother to keep them warm and fed during their early days. They grow very quickly, however, and will be running around and hopping within approximately 10 days after birth.
- Despite what cartoons tell us, rabbits cannot live off carrots alone. While they do enjoy an occasional carrot treat, this is not a complete diet for rabbits and can make them very ill. Rabbits actually prefer greens and other things that grow above ground, not root vegetables.
- Size matters! Rabbits can be super tiny and just a couple pounds or they can be very large. The Flemish giant weighs in at a whopping 22 pounds and can reach as long as 2.5 feet. That’s almost as tall as a toddler.
- Most rabbits are ready to breed as young as 3 to 8 months of age. They can produce multiple litters of kits every year and will continue to do so their entire lives. This is why it’s important to have your pet rabbits spayed or neutered young.
- The binky is a sign of great joy. When a rabbit bounces, leaps, and springs about, even adding a little twist in mid-air, it’s called a binky. It does this when it is very happy, excited, or showing joy. If you need a pick-me-up on a bad day, watch some bunny binky videos on Youtube like this one!
- Bunnies eat their own poop, but it’s not as gross as it sounds. The first droppings a rabbit will produce after a meal is called ceotropes, and it’s not really poop like you may ne imagining. These soft, half-digested pellets are designed to be eaten a second time to help the rabbit break down tough plant fibers and extract extra nutrition from every bite.
- Cats and rabbits have one important thing in common: grooming. Rabbits groom themselves as much as cats do, and they’re just as good at it, too. Clean, dry, silky fur is perfect for a defensive coat and to help keep rabbits healthy. You only need to brush them and check their feet and bottoms for any caked-on mud or poo.
- Rabbits are physically incapable of throwing up. They cannot vomit at all. If rabbits have a tummy ache, they just have to deal with it. Be careful not to allow your rabbit to swallow too much fur during their copious grooming sessions. Brushing helps reduce the likelihood of blockage and tummy upset.
- As prey animals, rabbits have almost superhero levels of vision. They can see in a near 360 degrees around themselves. This is why it’s nearly impossible to sneak up on a rabbit. They can even see above their heads!
- The teeth of a rabbit will never stop growing. This is why they’re constantly chewing everything in sight. They use the chewing to grind their teeth down. If they’re not allowed to chew, or they are too sick or weak to chew, their teeth can grow up and out of their mouths or even grow right through their lips!
- Bunny ears are adorable, whether floppy or erect. They offer excellent hearing, but they’re also made to help cool the animals off. Blood vessels close to the surface help cool the blood as it circulates, allowing the rabbit to cool off.
- Rabbits used to be classified as rodents, but that isn’t true any longer. In 1912, rabbits were reclassified as lagomorphs, along with the tiny burrowing mammal called the pika.
- Hares and rabbits are not the same. Hares live above ground in grassy nests while rabbits live underground in burrows and complex warrens. Hares are born with their eyes open and ready to run within minutes, while rabbits are hairless, blind, and helpless at birth.
- Jackrabbits are the fastest bunnies in the world. They can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour. On the other end of the spectrum, the snowshoe hare is the slowest rabbit breed. They can go about 25 miles per hour. Even at 25 MPH, the slowest rabbit breed is still faster than the average American.
- On average, a rabbit can live about 8 years as a pet. Once spayed or neutered, that increases to 10 to 12 years. Wild rabbits, unfortunately, usually don’t live past 2 or 3 years.
- The language of rabbits includes subtle body movements that most humans don’t even notice. It could be the flick of a tail, the twitch of an eye, or a movement of an ear. Even though there are no sounds, all the other rabbits within visual range will see the message and understand it loud and clear.
- Rabbits have facial expressions that are often misunderstood by humans. They often show their feelings through more of that subtle body language, this time concentrated in the face. Pay close attention to a rabbit’s face to watch for signs of distress or unhappiness such as tensing.
- Bunny ears can turn an incredible 180 degrees. This means they can hear things in front, to the sides, and directly behind them. Even lop-eared bunnies have incredible hearing, though their ears don’t have the same range of motion.
- All rabbits are nearly always on high alert. It’s instinct left over from their wild ancestors. Even a sleeping or relaxed rabbit has some part of their senses working to stay alert for danger. For this reason, you should be careful not to sneak up on a rabbit or try to startle her.
- Rabbits can become depressed! They mourn the loss of their companions and will become lonely if you do not play with them. A depressed rabbit may stop eating, drinking, or grooming. They may also turn to naughty behaviors just to get your attention.
- Freshly cut grass can be toxic to rabbits. Do not feed your rabbit any grass or vegetation cut from your yard unless you’re certain it is rabbit-friendly and free of chemical pesticides or weed killers. Since bunnies can’t vomit, anything toxic they ingest will stay in their systems.
- Young rabbits can become susceptible to broken bones and weak joints if they’re not given enough room to run and jump as babies. The stress of these normal bunny movements helps build strong bones, flexible joints, and muscles capable of carrying a rabbit’s full-grown weight.
- Never try to “trance” your rabbit. This popular human interaction is actually quite traumatic for bunnies, even the best cared for ones. When a rabbit is flipped onto its back and their back legs rubbed, the bunny will go into “tonic immobility” which is an instinctual reaction. It isn’t hypnotizing a rabbit or making them relaxed. In fact, it’s the opposite. The rabbit is “playing dead” to trick a predator into letting go.
- Bunnies grab their ears and pull them down over their faces to give them a good wash. Pulling them down helps release dirt, dust, and loose fur from behind the ears. The pulling motion with the front paws help dislodge anything stuck there. It’s both utilitarian and incredibly adorable.
- Horses and rabbits are very similar, if you ignore the huge size difference. It’s true! Horses and rabbits share similarities in their eyes, ears, and teeth. They also have similar diets and exhibit similar behaviors. Just don’t try to ride your bunnies.
- All over the world, rabbits are often used a symbol of fertility. This is due to their short pregnancies (only about 30 days!) and their large litters of up to 12 kits.
- Grooming isn’t just for their own enjoyment and need for a clean body. Bunnies will often groom members of their family group. It helps build lasting bonds and may help spread the scent of their family to one each other. Some rabbits may even groom their human companions.
- A happy rabbit may make a soft purring sound. It’s not the same as a cat’s purr though. This purr comes from the soft and rhythmic chattering of their long teeth. Have you heard your bunnies purring yet?
- Adult rabbits need playtime as much as young rabbits do. Around 4 hours of activity every day will keep their bones strong and help them burn off excess energy. If you must keep your bunny in a cage or hutch, try to let them out each day for some play time. Even better, create a large rabbit run for them to play on their own in safety.
- One of the largest rabbit warrens in Europe was truly a wonder of rabbit engineering. It had 2,000 entrances spread out over a long distance. It was home to 450 rabbits.
- In the United States, rabbits come in as the third most popular pet. Rabbits are easy to care for and come in a variety of sizes and colors, so they are very appealing.
- Unfortunately, being the third most popular pet in the USA doesn’t mean all bunny stories have happy endings. Rabbits are one of the most frequently surrendered or cruelly abandoned, too. Part of this is due to misinformation about their care requirements and lifespans.
- Thousands of rabbits are abandoned every year just a few months after Easter. Well-meaning but misinformed parents often give baby rabbits as Easter gifts to their young children, not realizing that rabbits are not good pets for young kids.
- In the wild rabbits are voracious foragers. They will spend all their waking hours above ground foraging for delicious vegetation. In some places, they are considered pests because a large family can devour entire acres of crops in a single night.
- Individual rabbits of the same breed can have vastly different personalities. This shows that they have thoughts, feelings, and opinions all their own. Some rabbits are lazy and easy going while other rabbits may be extremely cautious and suspicious.
- Rabbits are intelligent beings, which accounts for those widely varied personalities. They can remember how they were treated and will treat you accordingly. That means you should always be kind to your bunnies because they will remember everything you do… or don’t do!
- Domestic rabbits can be demanding. Once they grow to trust you and depend on you, you might be surprised how finicky your bunnies can be. Some rabbits insist on their food being served in special dishes or that they get brushed in a certain way. Whatever you bunny likes, try to do it so they can stay happy and healthy.
- Rabbits love toys. They love to chew on grass mats, baskets, and boxes. Some rabbits also enjoy chasing balls. A fun rabbit game is hide and seek—just hide your rabbit’s favorite treat under a blanket or in a box and watch her try to find it.
- Rabbits require privacy. Since they are always on high alert, then need a quiet, dark, warm place to calm down and just unwind. Provide a “hide”, which is a box or small enclosed space that has no windows or openings to the main house or yard.
- Never disturb a bunny in his hide box. He’s in there for a reason and it’s rude to interrupt. He may need to unwind, relax, and just be alone for a while to process his thoughts. Forcing a rabbit out of his hide is like barging into a teenager’s room. It’s going to end in bitter arguments and maybe some scratches!
- Bunnies can and will chew wires and furniture. They’re not doing this to be naughty. It’s just in their nature to chew. If you let your rabbit run around the house, be sure to bunny-proof everything. Never leave a rabbit unattended though. They can get into serious trouble if you’re not watching.
- Make sure houseplants are out of your rabbit’s reach. They will chew on anything and they don’t know which houseplants are toxic to them. Even if you put your houseplant in a tall plastic pot, that won’t be enough to keep a curious bun away.
- In 2017 the estimated number of domestic rabbit breeds reached an incredible 305. Each breed was either created naturally through unhindered evolution or through careful breeding by human beings. While many rabbit breeds were created strictly as food sources, a large number of rabbit breeds were created specifically as companion animals.
- Two major bodies of rabbit husbandry are the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and the British Rabbit Council (BRC). They are responsible for coordinating standardization for each breed they recognize and cataloguing registered breeders.
- There are at least 13 wild rabbit species in the world. 7 of these species belong to the cottontail group.
- Humans began domesticating rabbits as early as the Middle Ages. During that time, they were strictly kept as livestock, therefore there weren’t as many variations in color, sizes, or fur patterns.
- Though flat-footed while holding still, rabbits run, hop, and walk on their toes. This is called digitigrade, meaning something that stands or moves on its toes, or digits.
- A rabbit’s lungs are not identical. The left lung has two lobes while the right has four. The left lung is much smaller than the right to make room for the rabbit’s heart. Even so, bunnies have no difficulty breathing as long as they remain in good health.
- Even though rabbits sleep about 8 hours every day, they may do so with their eyes wide open. This makes it seem like rabbits hardly sleep at all. You can tell a pet rabbit is very relaxed and comfortable if he stretches out onto his side and closes his eyes.
- While rabbits in captivity can live to roughly 10 years of age, one rabbit lived to be much older. This rabbit lived to be 18 years old and lived in Tasmania, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
- Though rabbits are found nearly everywhere in the world, and there are hundreds of rabbit species, there is only one species of rabbit in most of South America. The species is called tapeti or the Brazilian cottontail and it has smaller than normal ears and a light, fast build.
- Rabbits will thump their back feet quickly against the ground to signal distress or to warn their companions of predators. If your pet rabbit exhibits this behavior, there is something in the immediate vicinity that is frightening him. To reduce your pet’s stress and anxiety, locate the source of trouble and remove it.
- Japanese culture says that rabbits live on the moon. This is where they make a popular treat called mochi. The story came about because the moon looks like there’s a rabbit on the left side, standing on its hind legs.
- Rabbits appear in children’s stories around the world. This is due to their sweet tempers and soft, inviting fur. They look gentle and kind, the perfect companions in stories meant to soothe and comfort children. Some notable rabbits in children’s literature and entertainment include The Velveteen Rabbit, Thumper from Bambi, and Bugs Bunny.
- Unlike most other animals that walk and run on their toes, rabbits do not have paw pads. Bunnies have course, protective, dense hairs on their feet that act in much the same way. It’s important to check your rabbit’s feet at least weekly to be sure the fur is in good condition. Poorly-kept fur can cause sores and other injuries that can prevent your bunnies from moving well.
- All rabbits have a small blind spot right in front of their faces. This is why your rabbit may turn his head when you speak to him. He’s not ignoring you. Quite the opposite! He’s turning his head to get a better look at you. Never approach your bunny from directly in front or you may startle him.
- Mother rabbits will pluck their fur to line their nests before the kits are born. Don’t be alarmed if you see your pregnant rabbit doing this, and do not disturb her work. The newborn rabbits will need that soft, warm fur to protect them for the first few days of life.
- Rabbits have the same number of toes on their front feet as they have on their back feet, but there’s still a difference. The front and back feet have four toes that they walk on. However, the front feet also each have a dewclaw, but the back feet do not.
- Dewclaws aren’t useless appendages, so do not ignore their care. Rabbits can use their dewclaws almost like thumbs. They use them for grooming purposes to help comb their fur and ears. They can also use dewclaws to rub their faces to relieve an itch. Rabbit dewclaws can also be used to steady food, toys, or chewing material.
- Rabbits are smart enough to learn simple commands. They can be taught to come when called or to run through mazes. Interacting with rabbits in this way will keep them entertained and help them bond with their humans.
- Though bunnies get along with many kinds of other pets, it’s best to let them have time and space away from them. Dogs, cats, and birds are all natural predators to rabbits, so if left alone with these kinds of pets, rabbits can become overly stressed.
- Stressed out rabbits may begin to pluck their own fur, chew on their feet, or partake in other self-harming behaviors. If your bunny suddenly starts hurting himself, there might be something in his environment stressing him out. Be on the lookout for distressing sounds, scary objects in the room or yard, or something frightening outside the window.
- Rabbits can scream. This is never a good sound, so if your bunny starts to scream, consider it an emergency. Your rabbit may be in grave danger or in excruciating pain. Never ignore a rabbit vocalizing loudly.
- Rabbits love to dig and burrow, which can be difficult in captivity. If you can’t allow your rabbit to dig in the ground, provide her with some alternatives to scratch that itch. Many pet rabbits love to burrow in blankets.
- Rabbits are awesome jumpers. They can spring into the air over two feet. Some rabbits have been seen jumping nearly four feet straight up. While their vertical hop is impressive, their real strength is in horizontal movement. Some rabbits can jump as far as nine feet horizontally.
- It’s true that rabbits have great hearing, but did you know that they can hear things in a much higher range than humans? This helps them locate predators and hear their quiet sounds of their rabbit buddies.
- Along with awesome hearing, bunnies have very good eyesight. However, they have evolved to see things very well at great distances, but not very well up close. Try to get your rabbit’s attention before you get close to her cage so you don’t startle her.
- Change things around in your rabbit’s enclosure every so often. They need to be stimulated with new objects and new spaces to explore. Switch out toys, bedding, or even the configuration of the cage. Try not to mess with their hides or sleeping areas, however. They do need to feel safe, so changing everything all at once can make them uneasy.
- Pygmy rabbits are extremely small. They can be as tiny as eight inches. A rabbit that small can weigh under a pound. Though tiny, these little rabbits are incredibly fast and agile.
- The largest rabbit ever recorded was a Flemish giant that weighed over 49 pounds. That’s as heavy as a large dog! This beastly bunny was an impressive 4 feet 3 inches long. Thankfully, Flemish giants are known to be sweet-natured.
- Sadly, only about 15% of young rabbits survive to their first birthday. It is imperative that a mother rabbit be given the best possible care and highest quality food during pregnancy and nursing to ensure her kits get proper nutrition and the best start on life. Baby rabbits are delicate and should be handled with care.
- Make sure your rabbits eat mostly hay, clover, and fortified rabbit food. They need the high fiber to help digest their meals and pass undigestible things like fur through their digestive tracts. You can supplement their normal diets with healthy treats such as fruits, berries, and veggies like Brussels sprouts.
- Do not feed rabbits sugary treats or human foods. They are incapable of digesting these things safely and can end up with gastric upset. Given these junk foods too long, they can end up dying of malnutrition.
- Scientist believe that rabbits originated in Europe and Africa. Thanks to their fast breeding, they quickly spread nearly all over the world. In recent centuries, rabbits were introduced to islands and remote areas that they would not have been able to reach naturally.
- The incredibly rare Sumatran striped rabbit only lives on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Locally, this species is not well known, but scientists have labelled it as vulnerable for extinction.
- Rabbits breathe through their noses, not their mouths. Their epiglottis spreads over their soft palate most of the time. The exception to this rule is while they are swallowing.
- Unlike most mammals, rabbits do not have the corpus callosum. This is a bundle of special nerves that usually connect the left and right sides of the brain. In humans, missing this part can cause seizures, but rabbits face no ill effects.
- The unusually soft and luxurious texture of rabbit fur comes from their unique mixture of three types of hair. Guide hairs are long and sometimes course, guard hairs, and the fluffy down hairs. There are approximately 60 down hairs for every single strand of guide hair.
- Rabbits can hear up to an astounding 2 miles away. Even at that distance, they’re able to pinpoint a near exact location of the threat.
- With about 100 million scent cells, rabbits can sniff out their next meal like champs. They’re even able to smell food buried underground. This is why pet bunnies like to play hide and seek with treats and they always win.
- Some people think rabbits are nocturnal, but this isn’t true. We know this because rabbits do not have the tapetum lucidum that nocturnal animals have. Without this, it’s difficult or impossible for rabbits to see well in the dark.
- Like humans, rabbits can taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. They have approximately 17,000 taste buds on their tiny tongues. They’re able to tell which plants are toxic, though they don’t always figure it out before it’s too late.
- Unlike most mammals, mother rabbits only nurse their babies once a day. This may seem cruel, but rabbit milk is incredibly rich and nutritious. Since Mom has to spend so much time and energy foraging for food, and her diet isn’t very nutritious, her body makes up for this by producing super milk for her babies.
- Only the mother rabbit cares for the young. She does not spend a lot of time with them. This is not neglect. By staying away from the babies most of the time, the mother rabbit is actually protecting them by keeping predators away.
- A group of rabbits is called a herd. They are sometimes referred to as a nest or a colony. Often, but not always, a herd of rabbits is controlled by the dominant male.
- Though most rabbit species have evolved quickly over time, there is one species that is still very close to its ancient ancestors. Often called the “living fossil”, the Amami rabbit is still quite primitive. They live only on two of Japan’s islands. It is a woolly, bulky rabbit that looks like it hopped right out of a history book.
- Wind can interfere with rabbit hearing. In the wild, a windy day will keep most rabbits underground to avoid being surprised by predators. In captivity, an open window or a fan blowing in the room may upset your rabbit for the same reason.
- The majority of rabbits do not like to swim, even if they are physically able to do so. However, the unique marsh rabbit is a strong and efficient swimmer. They enjoy the water so much, they only live near the water and marshy environments.
- The rarest of all rabbits is the omilteme rabbit. They only live in Mexico, and only in a very small area. Since it’s population is unknown at this time, many people fear it may already be extinct.
- Swamp rabbits are technically the largest of all cottontail rabbits. They can weigh up to 6 pounds and can still run about 45 miles per hour.
- In 1979, a swamp rabbit swam up to President Jimmy Carter’s boat and tried to get in. While some called this a “killer rabbit” it’s unlikely the bunny was trying to hurt the president. Instead, it was probably trying to flee a predator and then became startled when it saw a human man in the boat. There are pictures of the incident sometimes called “the Jimmy Carter Rabbit Incident”.
- Many people consider rabbits to be gentle and sweet animals, which is generally true. However, they can also have an aggressive streak. This is especially true for male rabbits.
- The riverine rabbit is endangered. It has fewer than 400 individuals left. It is considered one of the most endangered mammals in the world.
- Even though most rabbits aren’t very vocal, there is one rabbit species that makes quite a bit of noise. The volcano rabbit is the second smallest rabbit in the world, but it makes high-pitched sounds like their cousins the pika.
