| Scientific name | Oryctolagus cuniculi |
| Place of origin | Europe |
| Life expectancy | 5-8 years |
| Adult weight |
Depends on breed 1kg-9kg |
| Weaning age | 7-8 weeks |
| Gestation period | 31 days |
| Average litter size | 6 |
Rabbits are great fun to be with. Wild rabbits are native to Europe but have been spread around the world alongside people. They were originally introduced to Britain by the Romans who brought them over as a food source. Wild rabbits are considered as pests by many people due to their appetites and prolific breeding ability.
Rabbits have been domesticated since the Middle ages, originally being farmed for meat. They only started to become considered as household pets in the Victorian era. They are now the third most popular pet in Britain and their numbers have increased enormously over recent years.
There are now many different rabbit breeds, some bred for meat (e.g. Californian and New Zealand White), some for fur (Angora, Rex) and some simply as pets. They range in size from the Continental Giant (weighing over 5kg) to the Polish and Netherland Dwarf (weighing less than 1kg).
Despite being so popular, rabbits must also be one of the most neglected pets. They are often confined alone to a small hutch at the back of the garden and basically ignored. They are, however, intelligent, living animals and should be loved and looked after properly. For more information about caring for rabbits, please click on the links below.
 Buying a rabbitShopping list |
 Rabbit healthVaccinationsNutrition |
 Rabbit rescue |