A mammal of the order Rodentia (the rodents) which, together with the hares and picas is dstinguished by the presence of a small pair of additional incisor teeth in the upper jaw behind the main gnawing teeth.
Rabbits differ from hares in their shorter limbs and ears, by living in burrows and by bearing numerous naked young.
Several species of rabbits are recognized but the only one of any importance is the common European rabbit.
The largest rabbits are the Belgian hare and the "snowshoe" rabbit native to Canada and Siberia.
Rabbits are usefull for their flesh and fur. In former times they were an important source of fresh meat in the winter.
Rabbits were introduced into the British Isles form Europe by the Normans in the 12th century.
Important as a source of fresh meat in winter these rodents have been encouraged since the middle ages by the building of artificial warrens known as "pillow-mounds", as on Brean Down in Somerset where they are even mentioned in documents (the earliest dating from 1361).
The introduction of myxomatosis in 1953 decimated the rabbit population in the British Isles. This led to a decline in the numbers of the species which prey on the rabbit such as the common buzzard (Buteo buteo).
The numbers of rabbits in the British Isles have been steadily recovering but they have now changed their habbits and do not live in extensive warrens as they did prior to the myxamatosis introduction.
BRITISH ISLES
Rabbits were introduced into the British Isles form Europe by the Normans in the 12th century.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Rabbits were introduced into Australia and New Zealand by European settlers for sport. The species has proved to be a serious pest by spreading in large numbers with great rapidity and in some parts threatening agriculture and native wildlife.
ISLE OF PORTLAND, DORSET
To mention the name of the animal on the island is considered unlucky.
| The Peasants Revolt (1381) |
Restrictions on hunting rabbits and harsh punishments were one of the grievances which caused the The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 - a rabbit on a pole was one of the emblems of the rebels.
see also: The Peasants' Revolt (1381)
Foxes, which prey on rabbits, often inhabit old rabbit burrows.
| | | | kingdom | Animalia | | phylum | Craniata | | class | Mammalia Mammals | | order | Lagomorpha | | family | Leporidae | | genus | Oryctolagus | | species | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| 1499 | | Merevale Abbey, in the forest of Arden, leased two of its warrens for �14 and �16, respectively | | |
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Rabbits and their History
by John Sheail, publisher Newton Abbot, 1971
Recommend a Book for this Page
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