Biology of the Rabbit By: Derian Picazo

Bun Biology

•  The rabbit is part of a family called leporids. •  rabbits are animals that live in burrows along fields and

hedgerows •  Rabbits are nocturnal animals, they come out at evening

and go back in their burrows at morning. •  The rabbits food of choice is grass, but domestic rabbits

are feed a different kind of food. •  The domestic rabbit originated from the European wild

rabbit

Rabbit anatomy and physiology

•  The average adult body weight is from 2 to 6 kg (4.4 to 13.2 lbs) on females and 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11 lbs) on males. •  A rabbits teeth are open rooted, meaning that

they continuously grow. •  The cecum of the rabbits (part of large

intestines) is large and thin walled. •  The left lung of a rabbit has two lobes and

the right one has four lobes •  The right atrioventricular valve of the heart,

called tricuspid valve in human, has two cusps.

Rabbit anatomy and physiology continue…

•  Rabbits possess four mammary glands. •  The rabbit possesses a well-developed nictitating membrane, or a

third eyelid •  This is used to protect the eye and to moistened it while maintaining

visibility.

•  The bones of the rabbits are lightweight and only represent 8% of the total body weight. •  The rabbits ears are important in thermoregulation, as the ears

help regulate heat.

Rabbit anatomy and physiology continue..

•  The average body temperature is from 101.3F to 104F •  The average heart rate for a rabbit is from 130 to 325 beats per

minute. •  The average respiratory rate for rabbits is from 30 to 60 per

minute •  Adult rabbit food consumption is from 5 to 100 grams per day •  Adult rabbits usually drink from 5 to 10 ml of water per day.

Life span

•  The average life span for a rabbit is from 7 to 12 years •  The life span of rabbits depends on the breed •  Some breeds live for as long as 15 years while others live for just

5 years •  The life expectancy differ and are based on

•  Available food •  Predators in environment •  Diseases •  Survival in provided environment

Different life spans

Wild rabbit

Pet rabbit

Dwarf rabbit

Giant rabbit

Rex rabbit

Life span from 6 to 7 years.

This rabbits live for more than 8 years

Usual life span from 8 to 12 years

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This hardly live for 5 to 6 years

Usually live for 5 to 6 years but can live for 8 to 11 years if neutered

Different life spans continue…

Himalayan rabbit New Zealand rabbit

Lop eared rabbit Lion head rabbit

Polis rabbit

Live for more than 8 years

Usually live for 5 to 7 years

Dwarf and mini lop eared rabbits live for 9 to 10 years, larger lop eared rabbits live for 5 to 6 years, and Holland lop live for 5 to 7 years, but can live for up to 10 years if neutered

Live for about 7 to 9 years

Live for about 8 to 10 years

sources

• Ningthoujam Sandhyarani. “Life span of rabbits.” Buzzle.com December 19, 2011. 2014. January 27.

• Images by Google.com • “ Rabbit biology” NSW.gov October 2012. 2014 January

27.