Wild rabbit in nature: description, photo

Some people, looking at the cute and furry domesticated rabbits, tend to think that their relatives living in a cruel wildlife, lead the same carefree life and only pinch the juicy grass growing in the meadows. But this is an erroneous opinion, since every new day for them is a constant struggle for survival. Wild rabbit is always in search of at least some food, regardless of the season, and besides, it should also hide from all sorts of predators.

Description

That is why these little animals have such a structure of the body, due to which it will be easier for them to survive in the harsh conditions of the natural environment. They are endowed with unique abilities to extract their food from under the snow, have an excellent hearing, allowing them to hear the approach of a predator at a distance of thirty meters, even if it is not on the ground, but soars in the air.

Outwardly like a rabbit is a wild rabbit. The description of it can begin with the fact that it is small in size. The length of the body varies from 32 to 46 centimeters, while it weighs not more than two kilograms. His hind legs are smaller than other breeds of rabbits and hares, and his ears are longer.

A wild rabbit is endowed with a heterogeneous color. His photo shows that this animal from the top has a brownish-gray coat, sometimes with a rusty hue. The abdomen and the tip of the tail are slightly lighter, and on the sides a whitish strip is visible, passing into a small spot in the upper part of the thigh.

Wild rabbit, in contrast to the hare, does not change its color within a year, but only occurs, as it should, two molts - in spring and autumn.

Where do they live?

Initially, these small animals lived only on the Iberian peninsula, but thanks to agricultural activities they were settled almost on all continents, except Antarctica and Asia.

Currently, a wild rabbit inhabits Russia, Ukraine, and also in many countries of Europe and Africa. In addition, this small animal can be found on the islands of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.

These animals live only where there are bushes and low trees, but can also live in steppes, forest belts and plantings. Their habitat conditions differ significantly from the way of life of rabbits, since a wild rabbit needs a smaller area for its existence. The family of these little animals can safely live on land, the area of which varies from three to twenty hectares. For a more comfortable existence, they dig their own holes, reaching up to thirty meters in length.

Dwelling of small animals

Such tunnels can be seen in some open terrain with a complex relief, where they dig themselves a wild rabbit. Where this small animal lives, only sandy soil prevails there, so that it is easier and more convenient for him to dig holes for himself.

Harsh conditions of survival forced these animals to hide as deep as possible under the ground, where you can hide away from predators. There they spend most of their lives. Such holes are digging mainly females, and this takes a lot of time. They look like a nesting place with three outlets on the surface.

Lifestyle

Thus, a wild rabbit in nature can often occur in beams, ravines, steep sea shores or abandoned quarries. These animals are not at all intimidated by their proximity to man, so they can settle even on the outskirts of populated areas and at various dumps.

When these little animals choose a certain area for their lives, they necessarily mark it with an odorous secret, produced by the skin glands. Unlike rabbits, wild rabbits do not lead an isolated way of life, but live in groups (7-11 individuals each). Their families have a rather complex hierarchical structure.

What do they eat?

The wild rabbit does not move away from the burrow during its feeding more than a hundred meters. Therefore, his diet is not very diverse. Only the winter and summer meals differ. In a warm period, small animals eat leaves and grass. If near their dwelling there are fields and vegetable gardens, then these animals eat salads, cabbage, all kinds of root crops and crops.

As the cold approaches, the rabbits pass to dry grass and parts of plants excavated from under the ground. In addition, in winter they can still eat shoots and bark of trees or shrubs.

How does the reproduction occur?

These small animals are considered very prolific. They reproduce almost all the year round. Bunnies can breed about three times per season. Pregnancy in these animals lasts approximately one month. The number of rabbits in the litter can vary from 4 to 12 and depends on the habitat conditions and the age of their mother. Thus, over a year it can result in 20 to 50 cubs. A few hours after delivery, the female is again ready to mate.

The rabbits of this species grow at a rapid pace due to the fact that the very first four weeks after their birth, only mother's milk is fed. After five months they reach puberty and leave the family, forming their own.

What is the value of these animals for humans?

It turns out that only this kind of European wild rabbit has been tamed by humans. Therefore, it is considered an ancestor for all, without exception, the domestic breeds of these small animals.

Their breeding is currently engaged in the territory of various nature reserves and nurseries. European rabbits are in demand with many breeders, because with their help it is possible to improve the breeds of domesticated species.

In addition, they are the object of fishing due to their beautiful fur and delicious meat. That is why rabbit breeding is considered one of the most important branches of world agriculture.

Since the domestication of wild rabbits, more than seventy different breeds of these animals have been bred. Among them there are feather, decorative, and also those used for testing new medicines and food products in scientific laboratories.

But apart from the good, these wild animals in some countries, where there are no predatory animals, can do great harm to people, eating all cultures, damaging fields, crops, and also spoiling the grounds with their numerous holes. For example, in the Pacific Islands, they destroyed completely vegetation, which led to soil erosion and destruction of the shoreline that served as nesting seabirds.

In summary, one can come to the conclusion that these amazing animals are perfectly adapted to living in the wild, so they can support their population.