Archive for the 'Rabbits' Category

Wild Rabbits In Danger

Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world.

There are seven different genera in the family classified as rabbits, including the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Ōshima, Japan). Nearly half of the world’s rabbit species are in danger of extinction; many are among the most vulnerable of all mammals. All of the teeth grow continuously throughout the rabbit’s life and are kept worn down by the action of chewing and grinding of tooth against tooth. Many rabbits dig burrows, but cottontails and hispid hares do not. When danger is perceived, the general tendency of rabbits is to freeze and hide under cover.

In Europe, where rabbits are farmed on a large scale, they are protected against myxomatosis and calicivirus with a genetically modified virus. If it were to make its way into wild populations in areas such as Australia, it could create a population boom, as those diseases are the most serious threats to rabbit survival. A popular culture manifestation of this tradition can be found in the character title character of Sailor Moon, whose name is Usagi Tsukino, a Japanese pun on the words “rabbit of the moon. This is thought to date back to early times in the quarrying industry, where piles of extracted stone (not fit for sale) were built into tall rough walls (to save space) directly behind the working quarry face; the rabbit’s natural tendency to burrow would weaken these “walls” and cause collapse, often resulting in injuries or even death.

Rabbits have six incisors, or front teeth, four on the top and two on the bottom. Nonburrowing rabbits make surface nests called forms, generally under dense protective cover. While the European rabbit is the best-known species, it is probably also the least typical, as there is considerable variability in the natural history of rabbits. In gardens, they are typically kept in hutches -small, wooden, house-like boxes- that protect the rabbits from the environment and predators. In many regions, rabbits are also bred for meat, a practice called cuniculture.

Rabbits graze heavily and rapidly for roughly the first half hour of a grazing period (usually in the late afternoon), followed by about half an hour of more selective feeding. In rabbits, the cecum is approximately 10 times bigger than the stomach, and it, along with the large intestine, makes up roughly 40% of the rabbit’s digestive tract. Most rabbits are relatively solitary and sometimes territorial, coming together only to breed or occasionally to forage in small groups.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author: Kate Riding care for Rabbit Vibrators at her home.

Rabbit Hutches

Introduction to hutches available

Rabbit hutches can be purchased premade, or, if you are particularly adventurous, you can choose to construct your own. Rabbit hutches should be elevated off the ground and have waterproof tops to protect pets from inclement weather. At The Rabbit Hutch Shop you will find a wide range of rabbit hutches and runs that have been specially designed for your Bunny rabbit. A rabbit hutch is the best choice for a rabbit kept outside. The traditional rabbit hutch is a plywood box, one foot by one foot by four feet in size. Although rabbit hutches are typically used outside, they can be used indoors if space allows.

Choosing a Hutch

Whether you choose a rabbit cage or a hutch, be sure to keep your pet’s safety and comfort in mind, avoiding selections that are very small, contain wire bottoms, or have sharp edges. The traditional rabbit hutch is a plywood box, one foot by one foot by four feet in size. Bedding straw should be replaced on a daily basis and the hutch should be cleaned thoroughly each week. A rabbit should be able to stand on its hind legs and stretch out full length in the bed section of the hutch as a bare minimum requirement.

Pet

Pet rabbits should be protected from contact with wild rabbits to prevent infection and this includes the situation where wild rabbits might have contaminated the grass area where you might place a portable run for your pet rabbit. So before you bring one of us rabbits or any pet home really, just make sure you are doing it out of genuine love for the animal and not because of some holiday, or because its trendy. Rabbit hutches and runs sold in pet shops are often woefully inadequate for adult rabbits. This is especially true when people buy pet shop hutches along with a baby rabbit when they have no idea of it’s adult size. Also, keep in mind that if you’re buying a hutch for a baby rabbit, you should estimate how large your pet can grow up to be and do the math according to his full-grown size. Many people continue to keep their pet in a small hutch, perhaps sited at the bottom of the garden. Your veterinary surgeon can advise you on the vaccinations and annual boosters that are required to keep your pet protected.

Conclusion

Rabbit hutches can be purchased pre-constructed, or, if you are particularly bold, you can choose to construct your own. Although rabbit hutches are typically used outside, they can be used indoors if space allows. Wood rabbit hutches are the most common, with screened-in or wire-mesh sides. Looking at design in addition to size, you need to consider rabbit hutch design when determining your purchase. The roof should also be detachable to aid in the cleaning of the rabbit hutch. A typical rabbit hutch is relatively easy to build, offering your rabbit sturdy and reliable shelter, good ventilation and nest boxes where bunnies can be born.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author: Kate Riding care for Rabbit Vibrators at her home.

Rabbit Breeding

Rabbit breeding is a great hobby for adults, too, and I encourage you to explore this wonderful topic as much as you can. Most people outside of the rabbit breeding community have never seen a rabbitry. Such ecological farms are designed to produce larger number of processes on rabbit breeding, they are more economically efficient, have more universal character and allow the living space for animals to be enlarged. Like the puppy breeding industry, the pet rabbit breeding industry is rife with cruelty.

Rabbit types to choose

There are a number of things to consider when you choose rabbits for breeding, any of which can make the difference between successful breeding and frustration. Unless you have artificial lighting in your rabbitry, breeding will decrease during the winter months when there is less natural light. They will also provide you with a breed standard list so you can work on you rabbit breeding to produce show quality buns. Many pet store staff know nothing about rabbit care or health, don’t know how to sex rabbits or tell when they are sick or even how to feed them properly. There’s a very small market for mixed breed rabbits.

Breeding Rabbits

Breeding bunnies is a great joy in my life. There are a number of things to consider when you choose rabbits for breeding, any of which can make the difference between successful breeding and frustration. High temperatures can temporarily make the buck sterile, and in cold temperatures, the rabbits may use their energy to keep warm and have less energy for breeding. I invite those who have a great interest in breeding rabbits, the time, and the commitment to follow through with it to join me in this wonderful hobby.

Rabbits on heat

Rabbits don’t go into heat like most animals, the mating action will cause the doe (female) to produce eggs thus fertilizing her utrine horn (womb). Please note that different sizes of rabbits mature at different times, smaller breeds like mine shouldnt be breed under 6 months, larger breeds like the giant later on at 8-9 months. I have raised and shown rabbits for 12 years. The rabbits are WELL taken care of, and are housed in large dog-run sized pens.

Conclusion

Rabbit breeding isn’t as complicated as one would think. Successful rabbit breeding depends on the availability of the stock to produce good animals and on the breeder’s selection of the best animals for breeding. The rabbit breeding industry contributes to the problem by breeding rabbits indiscriminately for sale in pet stores and other venues, providing little to no education with their sales, and, ironically, disputing the fact that a problem with overpopulation or homeless rabbits even exists.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

About the Author: Kate Riding care for Rabbit Vibrators at her home.