Rabbits (Bunnies)

Rabbits belong to the family Leporidae, which includes both rabbits and hares!

A group of wild rabbits is called a colony, while a group of domestic rabbits is called a herd!

Rabbits live on every continent except Antarctica, making them one of the most widespread mammals on Earth!

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the ancestor of all domestic rabbit breeds we have today!

A male rabbit is called a buck, a female rabbit is called a doe, and baby rabbits are called kits or kittens!

Most pet rabbits can live between 8–12 years when given proper care, though some have lived past 15 years!

Wild rabbits typically live for 1–2 years due to predators and environmental challenges!

Rabbits are herbivores, which means they only eat plant-based foods!

The smallest rabbit breed, the Netherland Dwarf, weighs only 1-2.5 pounds (0.45-1.13 kg)!

The largest rabbit breed, the Flemish Giant, can weigh up to 22 pounds (10 kg)!

Rabbits have nearly 360-degree vision but can’t see directly in front of their nose!

A rabbit’s powerful back legs can help them jump up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) high and 9 feet (3 meters) forward in a single bound!

Rabbit teeth never stop growing, and they must constantly chew to wear them down!

Rabbits have 28 teeth in total, including four specialized front teeth that grow up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) per year!

A rabbit’s ears can be up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and help them regulate their body temperature!

Rabbits have special scent glands under their chin, which they use to mark their territory!

A rabbit’s whiskers are exactly as wide as their body, helping them determine if they can fit through narrow spaces!

Rabbits have three eyelids, including one specifically for sleeping!

Rabbits blink about 10 to 12 times an hour, while humans blink 10 to 20 times in just one minute!

Rabbits can’t sweat, so they release heat through their ears!

Rabbits perform a special jump and twist in the air called a “binky” when they’re happy!

Rabbits communicate through a complex system of body language, including ear positions and tail movements!

When rabbits are excited or curious, they might stand on their back legs to get a better view!

Rabbits can learn their names and come when called, just like dogs!

A rabbit can see behind itself without turning its head!

Rabbits thump their back feet on the ground to warn other rabbits of danger!

Rabbits clean themselves like cats do, by licking their fur and paws!

A rabbit’s nose can wiggle and twitch up to 120 times in just one minute when they’re curious about something!

Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box, just like cats!

Rabbits remember other rabbit faces and can hold grudges if treated poorly!

Baby rabbits are born blind and hairless, but develop fur within a week!

A mother rabbit can have between 1 and 14 babies in a single litter!

Baby rabbits start eating solid food when they’re about 2 weeks old!

A female rabbit can have up to 12 litters of babies in a single year!

Baby rabbits open their eyes when they’re about 7–10 days old!

Most rabbits reach adult size by 6–8 months of age!

A rabbit’s pregnancy, known as gestation, only lasts about 30 days.

Baby rabbits begin hopping around their nest at just 2 weeks old!

Young rabbits start learning to groom themselves at 3 weeks old!

Wild baby rabbits leave their nest when they’re only 3 weeks old!

Rabbits eat their own special soft droppings called cecotropes, which contain important nutrients!

A rabbit can eat up to 30 different types of grass in a single day!

Rabbits need to eat their body size in hay every day to stay healthy!

A rabbit’s tummy and digestive system take up about 40% of their body — that’s almost half of them!

Rabbits chew their food up to 120 times per minute!

Adult rabbits drink about as much water as a small dog each day!

A rabbit’s favorite vegetables include carrot tops, parsley, and romaine lettuce!

Rabbits can’t vomit (throw up), so they have to be very careful about what they eat!

Rabbits can run up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour to escape predators!

Wild rabbits dig complex tunnel systems called warrens that can be up to 10 feet (3 meters) deep!