rabbit

The domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus originated from the European wild rabbit. There are many other species of rabbit, belonging to 10 genera including Oryctolagus, and these, along with hares (genus Lepus) make up the family Leporidae, of the Order Lagomorpha, which also contains the pikas (family Ochotonidae). Rabbits are social, burrowing herbivores that are natural prey for a large number of carnivores. As a prey species they have evolved to be constantly vigilant, lightweight and fast-moving, with a highly efficient digestive system that enables them to spend the minimum time possible above ground, in danger of capture from aerial or terrestrial predators. However, even underground, a rabbit is still in danger of predation from mustelid carnivores such as weasels and stoats, and foxes will also dig up young rabbits from their nursery burrows. For the same reason, in order to avoid attracting predator attention, rabbit behaviour is not florid and overt and relies heavily on scent (see Chapter 5). Over the centuries, humans have made use of the rabbit for food, sport and clothing, as a scientific model and as a hobby the rabbit ‘fancy’ The relationship between people and the European rabbit was first recorded by the Phoenicians over 3000 years aJo They termed the ,berian Peninsula ‘i-shephan-im’ literally, ‘the land of the rabbit’ the Romans converted this to the Latin form, Hispania, hence the modern word Spain. The wild rabbit has long been hunted as an important food item. It is unclear exactly when domestication first took place but this is believed to have occurred between the 5th and 10th centuries in southern Europe, probably by monks who kept them for food. In the 5th and 6th centuries neZborn rabbits Zere classified as ‘fish’ by the Pope, so they could be eaten during Lent and other fasting periods. The Romans kept rabbits in walled enclosures (leporaria) and there is evidence that they brought them to Britain, but the species did not survive at this time. In Europe, and especially France, the process of domestication was well under Zay by the 5th century and in the 12th century the Normans brought rabbits to Britain, where they became established and remain as both domestic and wild animals. People have also transported the rabbit throughout the world, to all continents except Antarctica,