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Absolutely! Here’s an in-depth look at the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)—the most significant rabbit species globally due to its role in domestication:
2. European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
🔹 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.
🔍 Key Characteristics
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 13–20 inches long |
| Weight | 2–5 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 | 9–12 years in captivity; 1–2 years in the wild |
🌍 Distribution
- Native: Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and parts of France.
- Introduced: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and more.
🛑 In some countries (like Australia and New Zealand), European rabbits are invasive pests causing major ecological damage.
🏠 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
🕳️ Habitat and Social Structure
- Burrowing species—creates complex tunnel systems called warrens.
- Highly social: Live in groups with defined hierarchies.
📉 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?