Fun Facts About Rabbits

It’s Time for the Easter Bunny!

               Many of us celebrate Easter this Sunday and lots of children are hoping for a visit from the Easter Bunny.  I thought I would share some interesting facts about real rabbits in this week’s post.  Rabbits have long been a symbol of spring and fertility—they can have up to eight litters in a year and typically have six babies or kits per litter.  Rabbits belong to a group of mammals called lagomorphs which differ from rodents.  Lagomorphs have four upper incisors instead of two like rodents and they are strict herbivores eating only plant material.  Most rodents will eat both plants and meat.  Did you know that a rabbit can leap almost three feet high?  Their powerful back legs make them expert jumpers!

               Pet rabbits typically live 5-12 years.  Rabbits’ teeth constantly grow and so rabbits need to gnaw on hard items to wear them down.  Some bunnies have teeth that do not properly meet and wear down and so they may need to be trimmed.  Rabbits also need to eat a variety of foods including timothy hay and fresh vegetables and not just commercial pelleted food.  Some rabbits can be trained to use a litter pan in the house.  Rabbits kept in the house seem to have an affinity for chewing on electrical cords so be sure to rabbit-proof your house before letting your bunny wander free!  You may also want to have your pet rabbit spayed or neutered. Intact rabbits, especially males, may become aggressive and spayed and neutered rabbits may be less prone to reproductive diseases and live longer, healthier lives. 

               Wild rabbits build shallow nests lined with fur where they have their young, but they do not stay in their nests as birds would do.  Baby rabbits also only nurse once a day, typically in the early morning hours.  So, while a rabbit nest may appear to be abandoned, most likely mama rabbit is just out foraging for food during the day and feeding the babies overnight.  Don’t remove babies from their nests unless they are injured or you are absolutely sure the mother is gone. 

            One word of caution:  while rabbits can make excellent pets, it is not recommended to buy a rabbit for Easter.  Many bunnies end up in shelters a few weeks after the Easter holiday when children become bored with their new pets.  Please take into consideration the time and financial commitments involved with owning a rabbit before bringing one home.  If you do decide a rabbit is right for you, consider adopting a rabbit from a shelter.  There are many bunnies in shelters in need of good homes—York County ASPCA appears to have 3 or 4 rabbits currently up for adoption.  This Easter, stick with bunnies of the chocolate variety, but make sure your dog or cat doesn’t eat them!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!

               This log brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.            

Resources:  Rabbit.org and ASPCA.org