| rabbit (rab - bit){noun} A rabbit is long-eared, short-tailed, small
burrowing mammal. Rabbits are breed for the following four
reasons; for pets, for show, or for their fur and meat. |
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A male rabbit is called a "Buck," and a female a "Dow."
Most domestic rabbits are descended from European wild rabbits. A healthy dow
can produce 3 litters per year, with each litter consisting of 6 young. The
commercial rabbit industry is a billion dollar industry throughout the world.
Rabbit is eaten or kept as pets in almost every
country known.
Rabbits can be classified into four categories:
1. Wild rabbits (hares,)
2. Domestic rabbits,
3. Show rabbits,
4. and those raised for their pelts and meat (Commercial.)
1. Wild rabbits
are called "Hares."
Are the small bunnies we see runnning in the wild. Rabbits living in the wild dig out tunnels that lead to their dens called "burrows." To evade predators (animals and birds that prey on rabbits) they have to be quick and run straight into their deep unground burrows. The survival too, depends on their ability to have their fur colour blend in with the surrounding terrain. Predators of rabbits are: wolves, coyotes, snakes, bears, wild pigs, hawks, and eagles (just to name a few.)
Rabbits living in the wild eat on plantation (herbivorous.)
2. Rabbits as Pets.
Avoid feeding green beans and potato sprouts to rabbits, because they are poisonous.
Pet rabbits weigh 2 to 7 pounds.
3. Rabbits raised for show.
4. Rabbits raised for commercial purposes.
Rabbits raised for commercial purposes are fed a specially made food pellet made up of hay, fruit, and grains. There is a great debate about the health risks when meat is added to the pellets. (Soya beans are protein, so I don't know why they just don't use it instead of meat.)
Rabbits for their fur and meat value weigh up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg.)
Quiz: pertaining to the above article.
1. What is a female rabbit called?___________________________________
2. What is a male rabbit called?____________________________________________
3. What is a wild rabbit called?___________________________________________
4. What is the name given to a wild rabbit's den?________________________________
5. What do wild rabbits eat?_______________________
6. What do they feed rabbits raised for commercial purposes?____________________
7. What two vegetables should we not feed a rabbit?________________________________