how to tell if a rabbit is domestic or wild

Wild rabbits have a smaller, narrow head, while domestic rabbits have rounded heads and chubby cheeks. Is that bunny outside a wild cottontail or a neighbor’s lost BFF? Because domestic rabbits descend from European rabbits, they too have a strong sense of community and social hierarchies. If that still fails, Dr. Wilkinson recommends calling animal control, a local House Rabbit Society branch, or rescue group for help. A wild rabbit would have a lifetime of famil-iarity with the area, plus reflexes and instincts domestic rabbits lack. North American wild rabbits build their nests above ground, usually inside protective bushes or wooded areas, and live relatively solitary lives. The underside of the tail is white, they have upright ears, and their legs are long and thin. Your house bun has come a long way from her wild ancestors. Domestic rabbits vary in size from 2 lbs. Most of the world's wild rabbits live in the Western hemisphere. The indoor buns we’re used to come in different shapes and sizes. Wild rabbits are a light brown colour, called Agouti. Indoor bunnies just aren’t prepared for outdoor hazards. Have you seen a suspected pet rabbit running wild? Identify your Rabbit Breed. As you can imagine, a spotted coat isn’t exactly ideal for life in the wild. If appearance alone doesn’t clear up any doubt, behavior will seal the deal. Domestic rabbits however, unless they have been abused by a human, will approach them with only minimal caution. According to Stacey Leonatti Wilkinson, DVM, DABVP from Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital of Georgia, “Native cottontails are always small (around 2-3 pounds) with a brown coat (agouti pattern). The bottom line is, any loose domestic rabbit you encounter needs your help. One is the domestic rabbit which is the one you can adopt as a pet. “Some are skittish if they haven’t been handled much, but nothing like a wild rabbit. Be aware though; some domesticated rabbits also have upright ears when attentive. Finally, both domestic and wild rabbits will cause a lot of damage on your lawn, yard or garden as these animals try to scratch or scrape soil so as to make a hole. While it’s comforting to think they may ask some cottontails for tips to living on the wild side, unfortunately this is wishful thinking. They are always in lean body condition.” Unlike domestic rabbits, wild rabbits all look pretty similar. Is that rabbit safe to eat? How do you tell if a rabbit is wild or domestic? Bankert earned a Master of Arts in history from San Diego State University. A domestic rabbit will be noticeable by its droopy lop ears, spotted coat or albino fur. Know the Rabbit’s age. Not only do wild and domestic rabbits differ physically, their social and behavioural characteristics are vastly different. You can attempt to find the sex of a rabbit that is a few days old. She has published fiction, humor and public-interest pieces in a variety of regional magazines and she also draws cartoons. If you haven't been in my shoes, don't say "take them to a shelter." Domestic rabbits have wide, round eyes and chubby cheeks. Domestic rabbits are actually descendant from the European hare, which exhibits extremely different social behaviours from the wild Cottontail rabbit. Most of the world's wild rabbits live in the Western hemisphere. You may reach care@rabbit.org for domestic/pet rabbit questions. The indoor buns we’re used to come in different shapes and sizes. “As a completely different species, they aren’t able to interact, communicate effectively, or understand each other,” Dr. Wilkinson says. Rabbits and hares have a strong fight-or-flight instinct. Reluctance to leave "home base" is why you can figure most stray domestics have not willingly left home. “Domesticated rabbits haven’t developed a ‘balance’ with fleas, ticks, and internal parasites like wild animals may have, which can cause them to become very sick or die if infested.”. Moreover, “by digging burrows, eating native plants, and taking up niche space already occupied, releasing domesticated rabbits into the wild can actually damage native wild rabbit populations or other species that eat the same things, live in the same areas, etc.,” she explains. While sharing obvious characteristics, they are very different creatures. To avoid tularemia in both rabbits and humans, the following guidelines should be observed: Avoid contact with animals which we either don't know or which look unwell and potentially infected. The other is the wild rabbit, Cottontails or Hares which live outdoors. Also, unfortunately, it's not uncommon for people to abandon pet rabbits outdoors, and domestic rabbits do need our help. While cottontails always have short brown hair, domestic rabbits can have varying hair coat colors, patterns, and lengths. One might compare the wild and domestic rabbits to the wolf and dog. Despite sharing an animal family, domestic and wild rabbits have evolved to become genetically incompatible and can't produce offspring. These animals can either be a definitive host of the various worms or an intermediary host. A good rule of thumb is, if you have to chase a baby rabbit to catch him or her, the rabbit is fine! Feral rabbits are different than wild rabbits that belong in nature. If you want a memento of encountering a wild rabbit or hare, settle for a photograph. “Unfortunately most found domestic rabbits are intentionally released rather than escaped. Outdoor cottontail rabbits are extremely skittish and won’t willingly approach you. If you follow the below mentioned few steps, you can find the sex of your rabbit easily. to over 20 lbs. You can buy from Small Pet Select anywhere in the world! Tagged with: behavior. Let’s take a look! No wild rabbit native to the U.S. has floppy ears. While some may still wear the camouflage outfit of their European ancestors, predators will easily spot those with light-colored coats. Wild cottontails cannot be kept as pets or education animals because of this; they are far too easily stressed to live a comfortable life in captivity,” Dr. Wilkinson warns. Most wild rabbits in The United States are cottontails, who are brown with white tails. Dr. Wilkinson points out how pet rabbits are especially at risk in hot weather. Young rabbits can start breeding at the age of 12 weeks. Cottontail rabbits, pros at life on the streets, only live for about 1-3 years. place your index finger between the rabbit's ears and grasp the base of the head with your thumb on one side and your other three fingers on the other. Even the most adventurous bunnies don’t stand a chance if released into the wild. “When it’s over 80 degrees, rabbits are extremely prone to heat stroke. If the person who finds the rabbit cannot keep it and cannot locate the owner, then the best option is to find it a home,” Dr. Wilkinson admits. By 6 - 8 days the eyes and ears open and they have thin fluff. You may be able to approach them and scoop them up, especially if tempted with a yummy treat. Domesticated rabbits are used to having rabbit food and timothy hay provided for them, and may not be able to find food on their own. Distinguish Male Apart From Female Bantam Chickens→. Rabbits and hares look similar, so people often mistake them for one another. They may not be able to find a place to dig a burrow to cool off.” She also notes how they are more susceptible to parasites. While your bunny and her friends descend from the European rabbit, they have lost the instincts and physical traits necessary to get by in the wild. Differentiate Between a Dunnock & a Sparrow, The Difference Between Human Fleas & Dog Fleas. By two weeks of age rabbits start showing an interest in nibbling grass and herbage. They can be difficult to tell apart if you've never researched it and while you think you're saving an abandoned baby bunny, you could be causing its death if you bring it in and confine it. Domestic rabbits look a bit different from wild rabbits. For the most part, the majority of wild rabbits look pretty much the same. “If a person does manage to catch one, they will often fight, twist, and kick repeatedly in an effort to get free. Ears. What happens when a pet rabbit is released into the wild? This fight reflex is more likely in rabbits. It can be transmitted by various means, but a common path of infection in humans is through contact with infected … Ears can be upright or flop over and they have a much more full or round body shape,” Dr. Wilkinson explains. Below is the email for wild rabbit questions: wildbunnyrehab@gmail.com (wild) (If links above did not answer your question). Despite the cases of infection being rare, rabbits are highly susceptible to the rabies virus. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Typically, an abandoned rabbit does not have a high chance of survival due to the lack of survival skills and camouflaging coat. ; Keep the rabbits indoors. America is home to 14 species of wild rabbits, including cottontails, which are classified in either the Lepus or the Sylvilagus genus. If the ears are upright, the rabbit may be wild. You may still be able to pick them up, especially if tempted with a treat,” she says. By 3 weeks of age they are regularly leaving the … Wild rabbits, especially Cottontails, grow to a particular size. It means that it’s essential to separate the rabbits into same-sex groups before three months of age. While domestic rabbits are social and prefer to live in groups, the wild rabbits are more likely to do their own thing anyway. The underside of the tail is white, they have upright ears, and their legs are long and thin. Wild bunnies are smaller than domestic rabbits, with adult Cottontails weighing up to 1.81 kg and domestic rabbits reaching more tha Although domestic and wild rabbits share similarities in appearance, the two are very different. Make every effort to find his human counterpart by placing ads and fliers up in the neighborhood, knocking on doors of nearby houses, and reporting as found to local shelters and exotic vets. Baby wild rabbits are typically found with a little white patch of fur on their foreheads, although some domestics can be found with a similar obvious spot. If they aren’t having it, try a live trap with some apple inside. Domestic and wild rabbits, cottontails, and hares can suffer from different endoparasites (internal parasites), one of them being worms. There are tons of different breeds, so their appearance isn’t nearly as consistent. Physical Traits of Wild Rabbit Image: skeeze from Pixabay. Wild and domestic rabbits exhibit wildly different behaviour when encountering humans. They are super speedy and almost impossible to catch without a trap. They are always in lean body condition.” Unlike domestic rabbits, wild rabbits all look pretty similar. On the other hand, domesticated rabbits are often used to people, so may approach you – even if found outside. (See above for wild rabbits). A domestic rabbit will be noticeable by its droopy lop ears, spotted coat or albino fur. Some domestic rabbits, however, do wear the colour of their ancestors. It boils down to how lucky they are I guess. Please spread the love and share this with your friends!Every little bit helps. In my opinion they have just as good a chance as any other rabbit. I think I'd be doing them a huge favor by freeing them in the wild; they can't last any less than a wild rabbit. The natural, or "wild" coloring of hares, cottontails, and European rabbits is the same: known as "agouti" coloring. There are tons of different breeds, so their appearance isn’t nearly as consistent. Wild rabbits are a light brown colour, called Agouti. Unless from a nearby home, they are displaced. You can usually tell if a rabbit is wild or domestic by looking at its physical traits. Dealing with burrowing. Wild rabbits have a smaller, narrow head, while domestic rabbits have rounded heads and chubby cheeks. Domestic rabbits are actually descendant from the European hare, which exhibits extremely different social behaviours from the wild Cottontail rabbit. European wild rabbits, however, build complicated and massive underground warrens, where they engage in a complex social hierarchy. Dr. Wilkinson mentions cars, wild animals, and loose dogs/cats as common threats. Few game species can match the eastern cottontail for fine eating, but before you put that rabbit on the stove, take a minute to inspect it to make sure it’s healthy. Rabbits are not pack animals, and their mothers do not raise them, with exception of checking on them every so often in the wild. Size. Rabbits may live with their mate in the wild which is why they are capable of coexisting with another rabbit; however, they … To get the best service, choose the store closest to you: Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital of Georgia. Rabbits more than 5 inches in length need no assistance unless they are sick or injured. Wash your hands well in general, but particularly when interacting with animals. Dr. Wilkinson suggests reaching out to the House Rabbit Society because as national rescue/education organization with local chapters all over the USA, there may be a group within a few hours of your home. Hares will probably get far away. The rabbit or hare may bite you. We still see this color often in our domestic rabbits (see Figure B). Bunny bites can be painful, and you never know what diseases a wild animal is carrying. They may also emit a high-pitched scream. “They vary from the true dwarf rabbits like a Netherland dwarf, which is about 2 pounds, to the giant breed rabbits like the Flemish Giant or French Lop, which can be around 12-16 pounds. After exposure to the virus an incubation period of between 2 and 3 weeks takes place with rapid deterioration following the onset of symptoms. It’s not common to find an owner. It is a wild bird called a red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), but these birds are the closest wild relatives of modern domestic chickens. This is a bit of a trick question. What should you do if you see a domesticated rabbit running loose? Many animal shelters aren’t equipped with pet rabbit supplies to care for exotic pets, but they may be able to point you in the direction of a rabbit rescue. Once the rabbit is captured, you can have it scanned for a microchip for free at a vet or animal shelter. Wild rabbits are much smaller than domestic rabbits, with adult Cottontails weighing up to 1.81 kg (4 lb) and domestic rabbits reaching more than 4.54 kg (10 lb), according to breed. The best course of action is to try and trap the rabbit and get him to safety. Wild rabbits have a smaller, narrow head, while domestic rabbits have rounded heads and chubby … Regardless of the next steps, capturing a “stray” domestic rabbit will almost certainly save his life. Thanks to domestication and generations of human care, your rabbit wouldn’t survive long if left to her own devices. Wild rabbits are much smaller than domestic rabbits, with adult Cottontails weighing up to 1.81 kg (4 lb) and domestic rabbits reaching more than 4.54 kg (10 lb), according to breed. By Natalie Riggs on September 8, 2018 American: American: American : American fuzzy lop: American fuzzy lop: American fuzzy lop Please refer to the handout Care of Rabbits for more information on diet for domestic, pet rabbits. Wild rabbits are light brown in colour, whereas a domestic bunny usually has a spotted coat or albino fur, with droopy lop ears. By 2 weeks of age they will have a full coat of fur. The fur of a domestic can look a lot fluffier or softer than the fur of an adult cottontail which will appear more coarse and sleek. They are also native to Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa. Tularemia is a disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Wild and domestic rabbits both come from the family of animals called Leporidae, but that is where many of their similarities end. Wild rabbits have no interest in humans and will bolt, alarmed, if they see one. Feral rabbits are domesticated rabbits that have been abandoned or escaped outdoors and in the rare case have thrived and created a colony. Domesticated rabbits wouldn’t even be able to reproduce with the little guys you might see in your garden. ; Don't drink water of unknown origin or from the wild. The easiest way to tell them apart is by their physical appearance. Domestic rabbits, however, belong to the Oryctolagus cuniculus genus and hail from Europe. This is the easiest way to differentiate a wild rabbit from a domestic rabbit. Pet rabbits are an entirely different species than the cottontail rabbits that are native to the United States. Wild rabbits don't live long. Kelsey Bankert began writing professionally in 1997.

La Patrona Translation, Publix Chicken Salad, Actblue Tax Statement, Snake Gourd Tastes Bitter, What Does The Narrator Suggest Is Wrong With The Lion?, Why Does Caesar Want Antony To Touch Calpurnia, What Does Illinois Mean In French, Blacksmith Assassin's Creed Valhalla,