Not only is this practice illegal in many places, but if the rabbits survive they can reproduce and overpopulate the area very quickly. The cottontail bunny weighs from 2 to just over 3 pounds. There are many benefits to owning a pet rabbit: they’re utterly adorable, they’re funny, they’re quiet, they’re clean… I could go on and on. Even though rabbits are thought of as a prolific and adaptable animal, there are actually many species of rabbits that are already endangered and threatened due to human influences and climate change. The rabbit's eyes are set high on the head, and is complimented with a weak but very flexible neck which allows the animal to rotate its head. But if a rabbit becomes to accustomed to the cold a warm environment can be too warm for it so it is good to balance it out. A substantial portion of a rabbit’s daily diet should be made up of fresh leafy greens, which can include lettuces, herbs, or other salad greens. Please donate £1 to help YPTE to continue its work of inspiring young people to look after our world. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/11/27/petscol.DTL, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/11/13/petscol.DTL. Where Do Rabbits Live during Winter Rabbits live in colonies and can be found in a wide range of areas right from mountaintops to areas which are at the sea level, cliffs, embankments, moorlands, salt marshes, and sand dunes. Although rabbits are small and cute, these features do not prevent them from turning into a delicious meal for many predators in the wild. Fortunately, like other rabbits, they reproduce and mature quickly, allowing their species to adapt and survive even with the changing environment. Despite the many challenges facing rabbits in the wild, choosing to keep a rabbit as a pet can actually be a very environmentally friendly decision. Rabbits are a commercial resource that provides employment and income, mainly in rural areas 9. A lot of flowers, fruits, and vegetables are yummy snacks for rabbits, and they will take advantage of any plant that is available to them. Wild rabbits only become a problem when they are introduced as invasive species. This is a form of animal cruelty. Rabbits have four incisors in the upper jaw where rodents have only two. Rabbits also have nutrient dense urine and feces that can help revitalize soil and keep it healthy. Short tail, black on top and white underneath. Here are seven ways that pet rabbits help contribute to a healthy environment. Females and males can be prone to fighting amongst each other so make sure you help new rabbits get used to each other in a supervised environment or through a mesh fence before they co-habit. If you aren’t certain what type of animal is visiting your yard or garden, the best times to watch for rabbits … While many of us would prefer not to think about it, rabbits are also a very important year-long food source for many predators. These include pinworms, which mature at about 1 inch. Find out more below about how to provide the enrichment your rabbits need. Rabbits eat a large variety of plants, making them essential to keeping fast growing weeds under control. Where possible, providing animals with access to fresh air, plenty of space and environmental enrichment in an outdoor setup is always preferable to provide an area as close to the animal’s natural habitat as possible. As long as you have responsible pet practices that prevent problems leading to overpopulation, then a rabbit can be an ideal pet for the environmentally conscious person. In turn, these small flowering plants attract many butterflies and the short grass is suitable for other insects such as ants. Many of the best toys for rabbits come from materials that we would consider trash. Even rabbit litter, which will normally be hay or paper based (as opposed to clay cat litter), can be composted alongside their poop. Rabbits have a few techniques to defend attacking animals. Volunteering should be fun and meaningful. The insects in turn attract many species of birds. Rabbits are widespread across NSW and can inhabit a broad range of habitats. As temperatures rise over time, even rabbits living in their native habitats will be forced to evacuate to live in areas better suited to their needs. The front teeth of the rabbit never stop growing. If you have a yard or a community garden available, these are the kind of vegetables that you can easily grow for yourself. Breeding rabbits is an emotional experience, and rightly so, for it’s taking on a lot of responsibility to bring new lives into the world. I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. Rabbits can handle cold weather if sheltered properly. Everything from the availability of plants to climate change is impacting the way that rabbits live. This reduces gas consumption and carbon emissions. Rabbits do drink a lot on a daily basis, so it’s sometimes difficult to know what excessive drinking looks like. Wild animals are typically born with the instincts they need to keep themselves safe and find a good source of food during the cold months. Rabbits and humans Humans have been the rabbit's main enemy since it has been regarded as a major pest for the last 200 years. Remember that in the wild rabbits stay underground during most of the day, coming out in the early morning and late evening to eat. If you are the kind of person who cares about the environmental impact of the food you feed your pet, then a natural herbivore is an excellent choice. Your Pets.”, Tran, Nikki. Rabbits teeth grow constantly and they require hard items, greens with stems, and toys to chew on to help the teeth wear properly. It's ears are small for a rabbit. Here are some ways that you can help rabbits and get involved in the volunteer work of House Rabbit... read more. A period of inactivity for the winter months is not natural for them. Rabbits can be housed in an intensive indoor system as well as a less intensive outdoor area with access to grazing. What do rabbits look like? Abi Cushman is a veteran house rabbit owner and a contributing editor of My House Rabbit. My first piece of advice is always to go to an animal shelter... Caring For a Rabbit Before and After Neuter or Spay Surgery. According to National Geographic, wild cottontail rabbits have an average life span of less than three years. Having them mate multiple times can help with the litter size and the success of the breeding. 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