rabbit predators characteristics prey diet

They have very powerful hind limb muscles, but their skeleton makes up a relatively low proportion of their bodyweight. ( Belle and Bourne, 2009) Musculo-skeletal system, visual range and handlingĬompared with cats and dogs, rabbits are fragile. Oestrus: January to October (northern hemi-sphere) reflex ovulation

Puberty: 4–5 months in small breeds, 5–8 months in larger breeds Water intake: 50–150 ml/kg bodyweight per day Heart rate: 180–300 beats per minute (bpm), normal about 220 bpmįood consumption: 50 g/kg bodyweight per day Weight less than 1.0 kg to 10 kg, depending on breed

They remain very similar to their wild counterparts in their anatomy, physiology, behaviour and psychology, including their social requirements they will tend to flee, hide or freeze in response to danger, and may sit very still rather than cry out if in pain ( Magnus, 2002 Magnus, 2005) ( Box 1) Box 1. Two important factors which must be remembered in rabbit management are that, unlike cats and dogs, rabbits are prey animals, not predators, and also unlike cats and dogs, they have been domesticated for only a relatively short time.