Physical
Features
Rabbits are about 12 to 18 inches long. They usually have
long ears, long hind legs, soft fur, and a fluffy white,
short tail. For this reason, rabbits in this region are known
as Eastern Cottontail rabbits. They have brownish fur with
white patches on their feet, and of course, their tail. Rabbits
weigh between 2 to 4 pounds. They have 28 teeth in their
heads.
The female
rabbit, called a doe, is larger than the
male, called a buck. Their ears are two to
three inches long. They have large eyes that help to protect
them from predators. They can hop as high
as 9 feet into the air!
Life
Cycle
Rabbits'
breeding season lasts from late winter to late summer. Does
will have as many as four litters per year.
After mating occurs, in about one month, 4 to 5 babies are
born.
Females
build nests for their young. They dig a small hole
in the ground. The nest is lined with grass, leaves,
and fur from their stomachs. The young are born blind
and without fur. They feed from mothers' milk. In 3
months, the babies are ready to become parents!
Nine
out of ten baby rabbits die, mostly from predators.
Those that escape the predators live 2 to 3 years in
the wild. A rabbit can live 10 years in a zoo or as
a home pet.
Rabbits
are active mainly in the early evening, during the
evening, and early morning hours. During the day, they
find a protected hiding place to rest.
Habitat
Rabbits like to live in brushy areas, near forests' edges,
or near the edges of swamp land. They also
are protected from being shot in suburban
areas. They sometimes live within housing development areas.
When they are being chased by predators or hunters' dogs,
rabbits can run up to 25 miles per hour. They often run in
a circle to confuse an animal that smells their trail.
Diet
Rabbits
are herbivores. That is, they feed on green
plants such as grasses and leaves in the summer. They often
eat crops from home gardens. During winter, they eat bark,
seeds, and twigs.
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