Facts About Rabbits

Rabbits are not rodents. They belong to a separate group of mammals called lagomorphs, which also includes hares and pikas.

Rabbits are social animals that prefer living in groups and establish a social hierarchy within their colonies.

Rabbits practice a behavior called cecotrophy: after digesting food, their cecum produces soft, nutrient-rich pellets called cecotropes, which the rabbit re-eats directly from its body to absorb nutrients and vitamins missed the first time.

Baby rabbits (kits) are born blind, hairless, and helpless, but they grow quickly and can hop and see within about a week to ten days.

Pet rabbits typically live 8 to 12 years, depending on breed, diet, and living conditions, with some living even longer with excellent care.

Rabbits are herbivores, and a healthy diet is made up mostly of grass hay, supplemented with fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of pellets.

Rabbits can rotate each ear independently up to 270 degrees thanks to a dense network of muscles, letting them pinpoint sounds without moving their body.

Rabbits are meticulous groomers and spend a large part of their day cleaning their fur, much like cats do.

Rabbits need several hours of exercise and space to run, jump, and explore each day to stay physically and mentally healthy.

There are more than 60 recognized domestic rabbit breeds worldwide, ranging from the tiny Netherland Dwarf to the giant Flemish Giant.

A rabbit's teeth grow continuously throughout its life, which is why chewing on hay and safe wood is essential to keep them worn down.

Rabbits communicate through body language and sounds, including thumping their hind legs on the ground as a warning signal to alert others of danger.

The world's largest rabbit breed, the Continental Giant, can weigh over 20 pounds and grow more than 4 feet long from nose to tail.

Wild rabbits dig extensive underground burrow systems called warrens, which can include multiple entrances and connected tunnels used by several rabbits.