If you are considering getting a rabbit for a pet, there's more to them than just being carrot munching cuties. Here are some interesting facts about rabbits you may want to know before you purchase one.
Some Rabbits Are Big!
And we mean really big. Not every rabbit is tiny. Certain breeds like the Flemish Giant Rabbit can grow up to 2. 5 ft in length and weigh up to 1. 5 stone, not too dissimilar in build to toddler! While this may increase your food bills somewhat, these rabbits are gentle giants and are very popular pets.
They Can Live a Long Time
Many breeds of rabbits can live up to 10 years. While most breeds last somewhere between 5 and 8 years, such as Dwarf Lop Rabbits, the Himalayan rabbit can live up to a decade. Most rabbits can live even longer if you take care of them properly.
Rabbits Don’t Eat Root Vegetables (Sort of. . . )
When rabbits are in the wild, they do not go for root vegetables. They much prefer to eat greens like grass and weeds. While they do like carrots, you have to remember these are high in sugar and can cause tooth decay. Make sure they have carrots as a treat.
A Baby Rabbit Is Called a “Kitten”
While we tend to call them bunnies, kittens (or kits) is the proper term. Adult males are called bucks, and the female adult is known as a doe.
Rabbits Groom Themselves
If you prefer a rabbit to a cat, they still display certain behaviours similar to cats. In fact, rabbits are very hygienic and keep themselves clean by licking their paws and fur. This means that they don't need to be bathed unless they get really dirty.
They Have an Interesting Habit…
If you see a rabbit eating their own faeces, don't be concerned, it is normal! After digesting a meal, a rabbit may sometimes eat their stools and process it a second time.
Rabbits produce a special type of faeces known as cecotropes that are meant to be eaten. Because of their fast-moving digestive system, redigesting this waste gives them the opportunity to absorb additional nutrients they may have missed the first time around.
Their Ears Cool Them Down
The ears aren’t just for hearing, but the increased surface area of their ears cools them down on a hot day, ensuring there are more places for body heat to escape.
They Can Jump Really High
Rabbits evolved to escape predators quickly. If you look hard enough, you can find rabbit jumping competitions, and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record is 106 centimetres (42 in) held by Dobby from Sweden, who also holds the world record for the longest jump, at 301 centimetres (9. 88 ft).
They Do the Cutest Thing When They Are Happy
If you spend a lot of time around rabbits, you might be able to see one of the cutest behaviours in all of nature. When a bunny is happy, it will hop and do a twist in mid-air, known as a “binky. ”