- Rabbits were discovered by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC.
- Rabbits are placed in a group called Lagomorphs.
- There are more than 65 types of rabbits, hares, and pikas.
- The difference being hares are born with fur and open eyes while rabbits are born with no fur and blind.
- Pikas, or ‘Rock Rabbits’ are guinea pig size with short ears and are found only in rough, high mountain terrain.
- The most common wild rabbit in North America is the Cottontail which descended from European wild rabbits.
- The largest rabbit is the Flemish Giant and the Netherland Dwarf is the smallest.
- A domestic rabbit can hop faster than a person, cat, or white-tailed deer can run.
- Wild rabbits live in underground burrows called warrens and are very social animals.
- A male rabbit is called a ‘buck’, the female, a ‘doe’, and the baby is called a ‘bunny’.
- A rabbits’ pregnancy lasts for about 31 days.
- Rabbits are fully adult at the age of 4 months and can live 8-12 years.
- A rabbit’s tail is called a ‘scut’.
- Rabbits have many predators, so they are very alert and can even sleep with their eyes open.
- They can see almost all the way around themselves without turning their head.
- Their long ears pick up the smallest sound and their constantly wiggling nose is one of its’ best defenses against danger.
- Rabbits mark their territory by rubbing their chins on a landmark, i.e. twigs and stones.
- Rabbits communicate mainly through body language.
- They need to chew to wear down their front teeth which never stop growing.
- They love alfalfa, timothy or oat hay along with apples, willow or pines branches. They also like fresh fruit and vegetables, except for beans or rhubarb.
- Rabbits are better able to tolerate cold than heat and are sensitive to drafts and dampness.
- They are usually active in mornings and evenings and prefer to nap during the day.
- As with the keeping of all animals in captivity, dull, lifeless eyes are a sure indication that your animal is sick.
- Other sings include a dull, rough coat, watery or slimy discharge from the nose, and a hard, bloated belly on it.
- Check our our Rabbit-Nasium for our most popular, custom-made Rabbit Enrichment.
Category: Animal Enrichment
We stress the need for enrichment as a means for captive animals to duplicate species-typical behavior in order to reduce boredom and stress associated with captivity. We focus on the types of enrichment products available for a variety of species and the importance of choosing the right product to meet the specific needs of the animal and its unique situation.
In order to provide proper enrichment, it’s important to find the right enrichment product to achieve your enrichment goals. This is why we recommend asking a few simple questions before making any decisions:
1. Is durability important?
2. What materials work best for your situation-rubber, vinyl, plastics, stainless steel, etc.?
3. Does color matter?
4. Do existing products meet your needs, or should we consider custom-made products?
5. What are your size requirements? What will fit in your cage?
6. Do you want a toy or a treat?
7. What is your budget?
The reason why we recommend considering these questions is because there is a almost infinite amount of possibilities that we can provide for you to fit your exact desire. Also, there must be a medium between fun for the animal and the least amount of work for the staff. We have been using the concept that we could give a primate a telephone book and they would have loads of fun ripping it to shreds but the staff would have to do a lot of work to keep the enclosure clean, while a block of steel is very easy to keep and lasts for a long time but the primate will lose interest very quickly.
Otto Environmental offers a full line of enrichment products, many of which are custom-made products available exclusively through Otto. Whether it’s for large animals or small rodents, we will be able to find the right enrichment solution to meet both your animal’s needs and your budget.
Regardless of what specific enrichment program you determine is right for your situation, no program is possible without the dedication of your staff. The most successful and rewarding programs are those that give the animal treats and toys with enthusiasm, and are routinely rotated.
Please stop and visit our booth in Atlanta. We have a lot of new products for you to view. Come visit us at our booth! (Booth #912)
