Rabbit

The Rabbit has a compact body, with grey-brown fur, white under parts, long hind legs and a short, fluffy white tail.

The male is called a buck and the female a doe.

The Rabbit is native to Spain and south-west France and was brought to England by the Normans in the 12th century. They were kept in captivity as a source of fur and meat. Over time many escaped and eventually they became a common wild animal in Britain.

The Rabbit is an incredibly fast, prolific breeder. They produce one litter of between three and nine young, known as kittens, every month between January and August.

They can be seen all year round in various habitats, like grasslands, farmland, heathland, moorland, woodland edges and in towns and cities. Rabbits live in large groups in burrows underground known as warrens. They graze mainly on grass, but will eat cereals and root vegetables. In winter they will gnaw on tree bark. Rabbits rswallow up to 80% of their faeces, which helps to use their food more efficiently, using a process called ‘refection’.

Rabbits are prey for a variety of animals, including Stoats and Foxes. The young can fall prey to Buzzards and Weasels.

A very common and widespread species throughout Britain.