Domestic Rabbit

scientific name

Oryctolagus cuniculus

size/length/weight

varies greatly

characteristics

Adaptations/Colouration. various
Eyes. on sides of head - gives them wide field of vision (indicates rabbits are a prey animal)
Teeth. incisor teeth grow throughout animal's lifetime " gap (diastema) before molar teeth " small set of incisors behind large pair (lagomorph)

reproduction/life span

Cycle. females, 15-16 days " ovulation stimulated by copulation " female comes into heat few hours after giving birth
Gestation. 30 days
Litters. 1-9 " naked, blind, & deaf " 5-7 litters/yr

diet

herbivore
Wild. grasses, clover, bark, & grains
Zoo. Rabbit Chow, carrots, apples, & lettuce

habitat/range

domesticated

status

domestic - different from wild native rabbits

other

Enemies. foxes, ermines, ravens, owls, & badgers (dig up dens)
Evolution. convergent with rodents

oregon zoo exhibit

Education Programs