2. A single female rabbit could potentially give birth to over 800 offspring in a year
3. Newborn baby rabbits (kits) are born completely hairless, blind, and deaf.
4. Rabbits can have up to 14 babies (kits) in a single litter, though 6-8 is more common.
5. Female rabbits (does) can get pregnant as young as 4 months old.
6. The gestational period for rabbits is only 28-31 days.
7. Baby rabbits open their eyes by 10-12 days old and are weaned by 8 weeks.
8. Wild rabbits have an average lifespan of just 1-2 years due to predators and harsh conditions.
9. Domestic rabbits as house pets typically live 5-10 years when properly cared for.
10. Some large rabbit breeds like Flemish Giants can live up to 12 years with ideal care.
11. Rabbits reach sexual maturity around 4-5 months old.
12. Male rabbits are called bucks, females are does, and babies are kits or kittens.
13. Baby rabbits leave the nest and become independent at 5-6 weeks old.
14. Wild rabbit populations are able to recover quickly thanks to their rapid reproduction rates.
15. Prolonged breeding can take a toll on a doe's health over time.
16. Many domestic rabbits are spayed/neutered to prevent unplanned litters.
17. Handling newborn kits is discouraged as the mom may reject them due to a foreign scent.
18. Wild rabbits build fur-lined underground nests to birth and care for their young.
19. Warmer months see the highest rates of rabbit reproduction in temperate climates.
20. Breeders separate pregnant does before labor to prevent them from nest-sharing.
Social Behavior & Personality Facts
1. Rabbits communicate through a combination of body language, scent marking, and vocalizations.
2. The "binky" dance, with twists and kicks mid-air, is how rabbits express feelings of happiness and joy.
3. Wild rabbits are crepuscular, meaning most active during dawn and dusk hours.
4. Rabbits live in interconnected family groups called colonies led by a dominant female.
5. They are very social creatures that use various sounds like honking and grunting to communicate.
6. Rabbits mark their territory by leaving scattered droppings around their living areas.
7. Rabbits are intelligent and can be trained to do tricks and use litter boxes with proper reinforcement.
8. When feeling safe and content, rabbits will lazily stretch out and "flop" on their sides.
9. A tense, freezing stance is a rabbit's instinctive response when they feel threatened.
10. Bunnies are curious, playful pets that need plenty of mental stimulation and toys.
11. Chewing is a natural rabbit behavior to help wear down their constantly growing teeth.
12. Rabbits can become depressed and develop behavioral issues if kept in isolation.
13. Nose bonding by gently rubbing noses is how rabbits show affection and identify trusted friends.
14. Rabbits have unique "zoomie" episodes where they excitedly run back and forth to release energy.
15. Boxes, tunnels, and areas for natural digging behaviors keep pet rabbits mentally engaged.
16. Wild rabbits thump their powerful feet to alert others of potential danger.
17. Circling is a courtship behavior bucks use to assert dominance over females.
18. Loud teeth grinding (bruxing) is a sign a rabbit feels happy, safe, and content.
19. Rabbits are prey animals, so they are naturally alert, cautious, and easily startled.
20. With proper socialization, rabbits develop unique personalities and bonds with their owners.
Physical Traits & Appearance Facts
1. Rabbits can inherit the "fuzzy" genetic mutation, giving them ultra-soft, velvety fur.
2. The world's smallest rabbit breed is the Netherland Dwarf, weighing just 2-3 lbs.
3. At the other end of the spectrum, the Flemish Giant is the largest breed, capable of reaching over 20 lbs.
4. Rabbits have nearly 360-degree panoramic vision and excellent eyesight.
5. Their eyes are positioned high and on the sides of their heads to watch for predators.
6. Those long ears allow rabbits to hear sounds over half a mile away and pinpoint their locations.
7. The longest rabbit ears belong to the English Lop breed at over 27 inches.
8. Rabbits have 28 teeth including four incisor teeth that never stop growing.
9. They must constantly wear down their teeth by grinding and chewing on hay and hard foods.
10. The signature "bunny hop" comes from rabbits' long, powerful hind legs built for speed and agility.
11. A rabbit can reach top speeds of 25-35 mph for short sprints when fleeing.
12. Their front paws have sharp claws to aid in digging and climbing.
13. Rabbits have a thick, fluffy "scut" or tail that's quite short.
14. Their dense fur coats provide insulation and camouflage in the wild.
15. Rabbits come in over 60 recognized breeds with kaleidoscope color varieties.
16. The Himalayan breed has a unique colored "mask" on its face and paws.
17. Rex rabbits have an ultra-dense, velvety soft coat of upright dense fur.
18. Lop-eared rabbits have floppy ears due to hereditary gene mutations.
19. Rabbits are born with their eyes sealed shut and no fur, relying on their mother's warmth.
20. Their lungs are positioned differently, allowing rabbits to breathe while running at top speed.
Diet & Eating Behavior Facts
1. Rabbits are incapable of vomiting due to the construction of their digestive system.
2. They're one of the only animals that can synthesize their own vitamin C, negating the need for supplements.
3. Rabbits will instinctively eat their soft, partially-digested droppings (cecotropes) to acquire key nutrients.
4. A rabbit's diet should consist of unlimited hay, a controlled portion of fresh vegetables, and a strict ration of pellets.
5. Wild rabbits are herbivores that consume grasses, clovers, wildflowers, bark, and other plant matter.
6. Hay is crucial for rabbits to aid in digestion and wear down their constantly growing teeth.
7. Rabbit teeth never stop growing, so they require a constant supply of hay and chewing material.
8. Rabbits can't vomit, but they can choke if they eat foods like cabbage, corn, or other round treats.
9. Many domestic rabbits don't instinctually recognize standing water bowls and need special sipper bottles.
10. Dehydration is a major concern, so rabbits require constant access to fresh, clean water.
11. Alfalfa is avoided for adult rabbits due to its high protein and calcium levels leading to health issues.
12. Sudden diet changes can dangerously disrupt a rabbit's delicate digestive system.
13. Rabbits chew their food by grinding it into a pulp using their powerful jaw muscles.
14. Rabbits move their jaws in a side-to-side motion, not up-and-down like humans.
15. Constant chewing wears down their teeth to prevent overgrowth which can be extremely painful.
16. Most rabbits get the majority of their hydration from their food rather than drinking water.
17. Baby rabbits under 7 weeks old should only consume their mother's protein-rich milk.
18. Fruit treats should be given sparingly as the high sugar content can cause health issues.
19. Rabbits lack the enzyme to break down sugars from carbohydrate-rich foods like bread.
20. Their powerful digestive system allows rabbits to extract nutrients from coarse, fibrous plants.
Domesticated Rabbit Facts
1. The earliest evidence of domesticated rabbits dates back to 6th century Rome.
2. There are over 60 recognized breeds of domestic rabbits kept as pets today.
3. More than 1 million rabbits are estimated to live as house pets across the United States.
4. Domestic rabbits descended from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) species.
5. Rabbits were first domesticated by European monks who raised them in enclosed environments for food.
6. In the 19th century, selective breeding produced the first lop-eared rabbits as companions.
7. The most popular domestic rabbit breeds include Holland Lops, Netherland Dwarfs, and French Lops.
8. Proper domestic rabbit housing should provide at least 8-10 square feet of space per rabbit.
9. Domestic rabbits require daily exercise and playtime outside their enclosure to stay healthy.
10. Spaying/neutering pet rabbits is recommended to avoid territorial behaviors and reproductive cancers.
11. Environmental enrichment like chew toys, tunnels and digging areas stimulate natural rabbit behaviors.
12. House rabbits can be litter trained, making them ideal indoor pets.
13. A balanced diet for a domestic rabbit includes unlimited timothy hay, leafy greens, and pellets.
14. Domestic rabbits have a typical lifespan of 5-10 years with proper care and housing.
15. Giant breeds like Flemish Giants and Continental Giants have larger spatial needs as house pets.
16. Grooming is important for long-haired domestic breeds to prevent hairballs and matting.
17. Rabbits are social creatures, so most do best with a same-sex rabbit companion.
18. Adopting from shelters and rescues helps curb the overpopulation of unwanted domestic rabbits.
19. Rabbits require yearly veterinary checkups and preventative care just like cats and dogs.
20. With their unique needs, domesticated rabbits are often misunderstood as starter pets for children.
