Rabbits, a 29 species of long-eared mammals.

The terms rabbit and hare are often used interchangeably, in a practice that can be confusing. For example, rabbits are actually rabbits, whereas rock rabbits and hispid rabbits are rabbits. Rabbits differ from rabbits in size, life cycle, and preferred habitat. In general, rabbits are smaller than rabbits and have shorter ears. They are born with no hair and eyes closed after a gestation period of 30-31 days. They prefer a habitat consisting of trees and shrubs, digging the ground and living in burrows. Hares, on the other hand, are larger and are born fully developed with their fur and eyes open after a gestation period lasting about 42 days. They prefer open areas such as grasslands and nest in small open hollows.

Rabbits are soil dwellers that live in a variety of environments, from deserts to rainforests and wetlands. The natural geographic distribution of the Western Hemisphere includes mid-latitudes. In the Eastern Hemisphere, rabbits are found in Europe, central and southern Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Sumatra and Japan. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been introduced to many parts of the world, and all domestic rabbit breeds come from Europe. Nearly half of the world's rabbit species are threatened with extinction. Many are among the most vulnerable mammals.

The rabbit's long ears are probably an adaptation for detecting predators. In addition to prominent ears up to 6 cm (2 inches or more) long, rabbits have long, powerful hind legs and short tails. Each paw has 5 numbers (one collapsed). Rabbits move with their fingertips in a way known as digital movement. With an egg shape and body, wild rabbits have fairly uniform body proportions and posture. The smallest is the pygmy rabbit (Brachylogies Idahoans), measuring only 20 cm (7.9 in) long and weighing only 0.4 kg (0.9 lbs.), while the largest grows to over 50 cm (19,7 in) and 2 kg (4.4 in). pound). ). The coat is usually long and soft, and the color varies from brown, gray to fawn. The exceptions are the Japanese black amimia rabbit (Pentalogies furless) and the two black-striped species of Southeast Asia. The tail is usually small ball-shaped fur, usually brown, but white on top of the North and South American cotton rabbits (genus Sylvilagus).

Natural history

Although the European rabbit is the most well-known species, it is also the least common due to the considerable diversity in the rabbit's natural history. Many rabbits dig burrows, but the sluggish rabbits and rabbits do not. European rabbits build the most extensive system of burrows called burrows. Rabbits that do not dig usually make surface nests, called morphs, under a dense protective covering. The European hare occupies an open landscape like a field,

It has colonized habitats from stony deserts to sub-alpine valleys, but has parks and gardens. Most sociable, sometimes forming groups of up to 20 burrows. However, even in the case of European rabbits, their social behavior can be very flexible depending on habitat and other local conditions, so sometimes the main social unit is the territorial breeding pair. Most rabbits are relatively solitary, sometimes occupying territory, gathering together for breeding or sometimes feeding in small groups. During territorial disputes, rabbits sometimes use their forelimbs to build "boxes". Rabbits are active all year round. No species is known to hibernate. Rabbits are generally nocturnal and relatively quiet. Aside from screaming loudly when frightened or caught by predators, the only audible signal known to most species is a loud stomping of their feet to indicate alertness or aggression. A notable exception is the Mexican volcanic rabbit (Remarriages dizi), which has a variety of calls.

Today, there are more than 50 established domestic rabbit strains, all of which are selectively bred in this species. Their attractive appearance and calm demeanor make domestic rabbits a wonderful and relatively undemanding pet. Because rabbits reproduce easily in captivity, they are also important as laboratory animals for medical and scientific purposes. However, rabbits can and can transmit diseases such as tularemia and rabbit fever to humans.

State of Diversity and Conservation

There is no single taxonomic group that makes up rabbits. Rather, the name refers to the accumulation of ten genera in the family Leporidae, whose characteristics are intermediate between rabbits and pikas, other members of the order Lagomorpha. Of the 28 species of rabbits, the best known and best known are the European rabbit and the 16 species of rabbits from North and South America. The European hare originally occupied the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern Africa, but was widely introduced to Western Europe 2,000 years ago. More recently, this species was introduced to marine islands around the world, parts of Chile and Argentina, and New Zealand and Australia where it thrives. Most white rabbits are native to North America and prefer open or rugged habitats.

Evolution and Classification

The Leporidae lineage (rabbits and hares) has been relatively unchanged since the Eocene, about 40 million years ago, when the fossil record was first well documented. Rabbits entered North America at that time, where they experienced most of their development. About 7 million years ago (Miocene), they re-established in Asia and migrated to Europe, leading to their present distribution.

The Leporidae lineage can be clearly separated from the Ochotonid lineage (pikas), the only other lineage belonging to the order Lagomorpha. Morphologically, rabbits and hares have a more arched skull, which correlates with the development of marked motor movements and a relatively upright posture of the head. Reinforced hind legs and pelvic girdle and limb length are also evident.