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Rabbit Facts

Latin Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Female: Doe
Male: Buck
Young: Kittens
Life Span: 5-8 years (domesticated)
Litter Size: 4-12 kittens
Birth Weight: 30 – 80g
Eyes Open: 10 days
Gestation Period: 30-33 days
Average Weight: Male 1– 5 kg / Female 1– 8 kg
Sexual Maturity: 16- 24 weeks
Weaning Age: 4-7 weeks
Diet: Herbivorous

Rabbit History

Originally the European rabbit was found in the regions of Spain, Portugal and North West Africa. They were wild animals. Rabbits were introduced to England in the 11th century and used for sport, meat and, in some cases, fur (such as the Angora rabbits whose fur was spun for wool). Along the way, the process of domestication began by keeping rabbits in hutches for breeding and meat production.

Rabbits were then bred for colour and also to partake in friendly competitions. By the 19th century rabbits had become pets. The first true “fancy” breed was the English lop; this was followed by the English (spotted) and the Angora.

Specialist breed clubs began to spring up with Rabbit Fanciers “showing” their new breeds.
This is now a very popular pastime world wide.

The Latin name for rabbits is “Oryctolagus cuniculus”. Oryct is Greek for digger, lag is Greek for hare and cunniculus is Latin for burrowing.

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