European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Conservation Status
EndangeredMammalia · Lagomorpha · Leporidae
About
The European rabbit or coney is a species of rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula and southwestern France. It is the only living species in Oryctolagus, a genus of lagomorphs. The average adult European rabbit is smaller than the European hare, though size and weight vary with habitat and diet. Due to the European rabbit's history of domestication, selective breeding, and introduction to non-native habitats, wild and domesticated European rabbits across the world can vary widely in size, shape, and color.
Fun Fact
European rabbits introduced to Australia in 1859 multiplied so explosively — reaching 10 billion by the 1920s — that they caused more environmental damage than any other introduced species on the continent.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Grasslands and scrublands
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
1-2 years
Threats
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)
- Myxomatosis
- Habitat Loss
- Predator Pressure on Reduced Populations