
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely! Here’s an in-depth look at the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)โthe most significant rabbit species globally due to its role in domestication:
2. European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
๐น Overview
- The only wild rabbit species that has been domesticated.
- Native to southern Europe and northwest Africa, now widespread worldwide due to human introduction.
- All domestic rabbit breeds descend from this species.
๐ Key Characteristics
Trait | Description |
---|---|
Size | 13โ20 inches long |
Weight | 2โ5 pounds in the wild (much larger in domestic breeds) |
Color | Gray-brown wild coat; domestic breeds vary widely |
Ears | Medium-sized, erect |
Behavior | Social; live in large underground warrens |
Diet | Herbivore: grasses, herbs, bark, vegetables |
Lifespan | 9โ12 years in captivity; 1โ2 years in the wild |
๐ Distribution
- Native: Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and parts of France.
- Introduced: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and more.
๐ In some countries (like Australia and New Zealand), European rabbits are invasive pests causing major ecological damage.
๐ Domestication
- Domesticated ~1,400 years ago by monks in France.
- Selected for traits like temperament, size, color, and fur/wool production.
- Led to over 300 domestic breeds, including:
- Flemish Giant
- Netherland Dwarf
- Rex
- Angora
- Mini Lop
๐ณ๏ธ Habitat and Social Structure
- Burrowing speciesโcreates complex tunnel systems called warrens.
- Highly social: Live in groups with defined hierarchies.
๐ Conservation Status
- Wild populations are declining in parts of their native range.
- IUCN Red List: Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and diseases like myxomatosis and RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease).
Would you like a comparison between the European Rabbit and wild cottontails?