Rabbit Facts That Will Pique Your Interest

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Some rabbit facts about these hopping specialists that have been around for millions of years, and it doesn't look like they're leaving anytime soon.

 

A wild hare surveys his surroundings before continuing on his way.

iStockphoto.com/Igor Kisselev

Call them wascally. Call them varmints. Call them a great 4-H project or a quiet pet for the apartment dweller. If you’re somebunny who loves rabbits, hop on over. You’ll enjoy this.

Let’s say you were working in your garden 48 million years ago and noticed some damage to your lettuce. Uh-oh. Once you were done hollering things we can’t print, scientists say you could have easily blamed a rabbit: By that time, bunnies had been mammals in their own right for a few million years. Even back then, says science, lagomorphs (members of the order Lagomorpha) hopped.

Hopping the globe, ancient Phoenicians spread rabbits by using them as a trade commodity, and warring Romans considered rabbits to be mobile meals. Although they are native to North America, rabbits weren’t introduced to Great Britain until the 12th century. At that time, bunnies became domesticated. Today, because of their adaptability, wild rabbits are found on every continent except Antarctica (but give them time).

Though they come in dozens of sizes, shapes and colors, all domestic rabbits are descended from the European hare. Cute as a … well, cute as a bunny, you can find pet rabbits that are 4 inches long and a few ounces, fully grown. Conversely, you can own a rabbit the size and weight of a small Cocker Spaniel. 

Respect the ears

Never pick up a rabbit by its ears, and you need to respect those long appendages: Rabbit ears can rotate up to 270 degrees and allow the animal to pick up two different sounds from two different directions at the same time. Because a rabbit is unable to sweat, its ears are rich with blood vessels that dissipate heat for a hot, cross bunny. Rabbit ears, by the way, also come in all sizes and shapes: Some of the smaller breeds have un-bunny-like nubs for ears, and lop breeds have ears that flop downward. Alas, rabbit ears on your television only come in one style.

Much has been made about the rabbit’s legendary breeding ability, and for good reason. A doe rabbit can get pregnant at 3 months of age, and with gestation at just 28 to 32 days, she can carry several litters a year. Each litter averages four to 12 kits. The largest litter on record is 24 tiny bunlets, which leads us to this hare-raising fact: Assuming that all the offspring survive, one mating pair of rabbits could produce four million descendants in one year’s time. Wouldn’t that make you hopping mad?

Speaking of baby bunnies, one of the differences between rabbits and hares is that rabbits are born blind and naked, while hares are born with hair and can see at birth.

A bunny’s appetite

Gardeners know all too well what rabbits like to eat, but most people don’t know that rabbits also like bananas, mint, bok choy, papayas and pineapples. Though you might consider this an ultra-healthy diet, you shouldn’t be surprised if Bugs eats his own droppings, too. Rabbits have digestive systems similar to cows, but instead of chewing cud, they re-ingest certain nutrients through soft fecal matter. Despite that – which is pretty icky – rabbits don’t have the ability to vomit.

But let’s say you’ve been charmed by a bunny and found yourself a new pet. Rabbits are clean and quiet, although they can purr, scream, snore and snort in certain circumstances. They’re perfectly happy to live in a cage, which is a good thing: Pet rabbits chew and can be destructive, and unaltered males will spray their territory. If you’ve got patience, you can teach a rabbit to “beg,” use a litter box, enjoy being held, play with toys and come when it’s called … all of which means that a rabbit is no dumb bunny! 

 

Terri Schlichenmeyer, book reviewer and trivia collector, lives in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books. 

http://www.grit.com/animals/rabbit-facts.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=GRIT%20eNews&utm_campaign=GRT%20Weekly%20eNews%2004.10.15

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A Common Mistake At Easter Time

A Common Mistake At Easter Time

They are cute - but Baby Chicks or a Bunny may need more time and care than you expected. 

If you live in North Georgia perhaps we can help.

Blue Ridge Rabbit Rescue & Foster Care - serving Atlanta and North Georgia.

We know you do not want to abandon your pet, however, circumstances do change and you may find it best to find a humane and loving environment to take the on the responsibility

Please contact us if your time or ability to properly look after your rabbit or baby chick has changed. We want to help.  All rabbits and chicks are welcome.

Please e-mail us with information regarding your location and your pet's age and breed.  We will respond within 48 hours.

blueridgepetcenter@mindspring.com

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Easter Bunny Mistake?

Easter Bunny Mistake? 

 

 Alice in Wonderland Image by Milo Winter

 

Blue Ridge Rabbit Rescue & Foster Care - serving Atlanta and North Georgia.

We know you do not want to abandon your pet, however, circumstances do change and you may find it best to find a humane and loving environment to take the on the responsibility

Please contact us if your time or ability to properly look after your rabbit has changed. We want to help.  All rabbits are welcome.

Please e-mail us with information regarding your location and your rabbit's age and breed.  We will respond within 48 hours.

blueridgepetcenter@mindspring.com

 

 

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Dutch Rabbits  aka Hollander Rabbits

Family: Leporidae

Dutch Rabbits are small colorful bunnies with a great disposition. 

They are an excellent pet choice for children and make a great first bunny!

The baby Dutch Rabbits pictured above are about four weeks old. They are still very small and even as adults they will stay small. 

The Dutch Rabbit is not a "dwarf" but it is a very small rabbit. Probably the most recognizable of the small breed rabbits because of its distinct markings. 

It is an excellent all around pet as well as a good choice for showing. Their easy going personality and their small size makes them easy to house.

Background:    Introduced into England from Holland in 1864, the Dutch Rabbit is one of the oldest of the domesticated rabbit breeds and are referred to as Hollander Rabbits in Holland. They are bred as pets, for showing, and as lab animals.

Description:    The adult size is about 4 1/2 pounds. Medium sized and large sized rabbits can get much larger than that! Dutch rabbits can be identified by their distinctive markings, which include the white blaze on their faces and the white band around their upper bodies.

Color differences:    Black is the most popular color of the Dutch Rabbits but other nice colors include blue, chocolate, tortoise, steel gray, and gray. 

 http://animal-world.com/encyclo/critters/rabbits/dutchrabbit.php

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Rabbitry Business Card Holder

Two Rabbits are holding your cards in this Cast Iron Business Card Holder

Nice rusty finish on this cast iron holder

Great for displaying your Rabbitry's business cards at work or at Rabbit Shows

$37.70

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Rabbit Behavior

Rabbit Behavior

 

People often think rabbits are very easy to look after and that all they need to do is pop them in a hutch in the garden and feed and clean them when needed. However, this is actually very far from the truth!
Nowadays, we have a far greater understanding of what rabbits need to keep them happy and healthy. It is also important to remember that the way a rabbit behaves will depend on their age, personality and past experiences.

Rabbits are prey animals first and foremost and their natural response to a perceived threat is to often run and hide. They have a wonderful ability to interact with humans but need time and regular, gentle handling from an early age to become comfortable around humans.

Offer your rabbits’ lots of bolt holes/hiding within their home and areas they have access to. Open spaces with no protection will cause your rabbits to feel under threat. A good idea is to place the carrier inside the homing area so increase familiarity and reduce stress during vet visits.

Think about what other animals are already in your house, and whether they are a natural predator to rabbits. For example rabbits will feel scared being housed next to dog kennels or ferret enclosures! Make sure your rabbits can always escape and hide if they feel afraid.

If a rabbit’s behavior changes or they show regular signs of stress or fear (such as frequent hiding or being aggressive to you/or other pets), they may be in pain, distressed and /or suffering emotionally. You should get your pet checked by a vet to rule out any form of illness or injury that could be causing the behavior problem. Your vet can then refer you to a behaviour expert if necessary.

Create a ‘wild’ environment for your rabbits
In the wild, rabbits have plenty to keep them occupied, from foraging to reproduction to territorial defence. Pet rabbits, on the other hand, often lack stimulation, which can lead to behavioural problems and poor health. Much like humans, they need to be kept physically and mentally active. You can replicate a rabbit’s natural environment by providing some of the items below:

• Tunnels (that are wide enough for the rabbits to pass through easily)
• Tree stumps (from trees that are safe for rabbits to chew, e.g. apple, that have not been sprayed with chemicals) to act as look out points (platforms)
• Safe, unsprayed twigs (which can be hung up so that they can pull them)
• Suitable toys (there are many rabbit toys available commercially; ensure any you buy are safe and that your rabbits use them)
• Digging Box i.e. A planter filled with earth for digging
• Platforms for hiding under and climbing on
• Constant access to safe hiding places (such as cardboard boxes)
• Games, such as food items in brown paper which they have to unwrap
• Put food in multiple places so they have to move around to find it
• Use food balls (the treat balls made for cats work well) to feed their nuggets as they will spend longer eating and have fun chasing them around

Rabbits become bored of toys quickly, so rotate items regularly to keep them interested. Ensure there are enough resources for all your rabbits to use at the same time. Regularly inspect items for damage and potential hazards and repair, discard or replace any items that become dangerous.

Digging
Digging is a favourite pastime of rabbits, both domestic and wild. By providing digging substrates, such as a child’s sand pit or wide plant pot filled with earth or child-safe play sand, your pet rabbits will be able to dig away without damaging your garden or escaping.

Marking
Rabbits’ homes are their castles and in the wild they are very protective of their territory, marking out anything they see as theirs using chin secretions, urine and droppings. These markings also help them to feel reassured as their environment smells familiar. Pet rabbits will also display these behaviours and you should allow them to do so.

Variety
Just like humans, rabbits become bored if their environment remains the same, so consider an occasional change of scenery. However, be careful as too much change can be stressful. Wild rabbits’ survival depends on an intimate knowledge of their surroundings in order to escape from predators, so structural changes to your pet rabbits’ ‘warren’ should be kept subtle, such as changing their toys and regularly providing new ones

http://www.burgesspetcare.com/your-pet/rabbits/caring-for-your-rabbit/

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Your Rabbit's Health

• There are many different health problems that rabbits face, but most can be avoided – either by regular vaccination or by good diet and a healthy lifestyle.
   
  
  
  
  Health Checks
  You can help to maintain your pets’ good health by learning to do some simple health checks every week. These will help you to spot any problems early so you can get treatment in good time – and this regular handling will strengthen the bond between you.
  
  A vital part of the health check is getting to know your rabbits. Like people, they’re all different, so if you become familiar with the way yours move, react and feed, you will find it easier to spot when something is wrong.
  
  Make sure your pets are relaxed, comfortable and willing to be handled when you carry out these checks – an Excel Nature Snack may help and if your rabbits are unwell, always contact your vet.
  
  Ears – Gently look inside to see if they’re free from mites and fleas, which can carry diseases.
  
  Eyes – They should be clear, shiny, not swollen and free from discharge. Dampness or dull or swollen eyes can be symptoms of illness which may lead to blindness.
  
  Teeth – Check to see there is no excessive drooling. Be careful, rabbits may bite if they’re not comfortable with their mouths being examined.
  
  Bottom – Make sure it’s clean and not sticky or wet, which can be a sign of poor diet or malnutrition. Any droppings attached to the fur should be washed off.
  
  Feet – Make sure the feet haven’t been injured and check that their claws haven’t overgrown.
  
  Fur – see that there are no bald patches, no signs of mites or fleas and no signs of injury.
  
  Infectious diseases
  There are two main vaccinations and some simple preventative measures to keep your pets free from infectious diseases. You should ask your vet for more details and always keep up to date with vaccinations. Here’s a brief guide to the four main infectious diseases. But if you are in any doubt whatsoever, it is vital that you consult your vet as soon as possible.
  
  Myxomatosis – this disease spreads via blood-sucking insects, like fleas. Even house rabbits are not immune, because the disease can be spread by mosquitoes.
  

  • Symptoms – Swellings around the head, face, ears, lips and anus.
  • Effects – Blindness, swelling around the face, disorientation, death.
  • Action – Rabbits must be vaccinated. See your vet for more details.

  
  Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) – a very serious condition which causes internal bleeding and shut down of internal organs. This disease kills – and there is no cure.
  

  • Symptoms – depression, collapse, difficulty in breathing, convulsions, high body temperature, lethargy, bleeding from the nose.
  • Effects – death.
  • Action – rabbits must be vaccinated. See your vet for more details.

  
  Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) – a microscopic parasite which affects many internal organs like the kidneys and brain.
  

  • Symptoms – As the parasite acts internally, symptoms are manifestations of the internal organs being attacked. Increasing thirst and weight loss, convulsions, tremors, hind limb weakness, coma, loss of balance, urinary incontinence.
  • Effects – Seizures, kidney disease, hind limb weakness, loss of vision and balance.
  • Action – There are preventative treatments available. See your vet for more details.

  
  Flystrike – a disease which occurs when flies lay their eggs around the rabbit’s anus.
  

  • Symptoms – droppings stuck around the bottom (that attract flies), diarrhoea can also be a precursor, wounds around the bottom.
  • Effects – The eggs hatch into maggots which mature and burrow under the skin making the rabbit extremely ill. Can be fatal. Pets most at risk at are those suffering from obesity, dental disease, diarrhoea, arthritis and skin wounds and those living in dirty hutches. The majority of cases are due to flies being attracted to droppings or diarrhoea stuck to the rabbits bottom caused by poor diet.
  • Action – There are preventative treatments available. See your vet for more details. However, a good diet of Excel Herbage and Tasty Nuggets taken according to The Excel Feeding Plan, can help to prevent obesity, dental disease and diarrhoea and guard against fly strike. Good hygiene is also vital.

  
  Problems caused by poor diet
  There are two major problem areas which can be avoided with a good diet, plenty of exercise and regular health checks.
  
  Dental problems –Problems like these generally develop because rabbits aren’t eating enough hay, which is a fibre-rich food that helps to wear down the teeth.
  

  • Symptoms – Excessive drooling and loss of appetite.
  • Effects A rabbit’s teeth will continue to grow around 10-12cm a year all its life. Vets say that three-quarters of the rabbits they see have problems with their teeth – the most common problem being overgrown molars and spurs which can cause extreme pain.
  • Action – Check your pets’ teeth on a weekly basis but you must visit the vet for a dental check every six month as you will be unable to check their back teeth.

  
  Obesity – Rabbits kept as pets are much less active than those which live in the wild, so being overweight is always a risk.
  

  • Symptoms – Sticky droppings (caecotrophs) that haven’t been eaten, dirty bottoms, ‘bed sores’ on hind legs
  • Effects – Obesity puts pressure on the heart and joints, can create ‘bed sores’ on the hind legs and may shorten your rabbit’s life. Some obese animals find it hard to clean themselves, which can lead to flystrike. If they can’t reach their bottoms they can’t re-ingest caecotrophs – the sticky droppings they need to eat as an essential aid to survival.
  • Action – Prevention is better than cure, so ask your vet about your rabbits’ ideal weight. Weigh them regularly to make sure they fall into their target weight. All rabbits, but especially those which spend most of their time in hutches, should have as much exercise as possible.

  If your rabbits do become overweight, see your vet for advice. A calorie-controlled food, such as Excel Light Tasty Nuggets, may be suggested. Never withhold food from your rabbits – they must have some fibre in their digestive systems at all times or else they are at risk of chronic constipation which can be fatal.
  
  http://www.burgesspetcare.com/your-pet/rabbits/caring-for-your-rabbit/