Home With Mommy: Bunnies!!!

Happy Passover!

Happy Easter!

This year, I am thinking about my favorite animal. Rabbits! Once, when I was pregnant, we had a bunny outside our picture window. We also had the Yankee game on and it was a good one! I couldn't decide what to look at "Bunny, baseball, bunny, baseball, bunny, baseball. I'm overstimulated!" That's exactly what I told Josh. When we brought Zach home from the hospital after birth, there was a rabbit outside his window. I smile whenever I see a rabbit. Usually, the Eastern Cottontail (below).

I did a report on rabbits in elementary school. But, I have forgotten a lot. So, with Easter just two days away, I decided to refresh my memory. Be prepared for a lot of pictures! At the end you'll see some memes too.

1. Types of Rabbits
2. Rabbits vs Hares
3. Pet Rabbits
4. Pictures and Kid Books (this is where the memes are).

Types of Rabbits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rabbit_breeds

There are 305 different types of domestic rabbits in 70 countries. But, the altheim.com link below has a total of just under 5,000 types overall! They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes.

https://www.altheim.com/bunny/

The link below talks about some of the more popular ones. I tried to find a good chart with pictures. But, they were all too small for this post. This chart misses a lot. But, it's a good place to see the variety to what rabbits look like. This one surprised me:

English Angora:

Weight: 5 to 7 pounds.
Body Type: Thick wool covers the entire rabbit, including the face and the stand-up ears, giving in the appearance of a large fuzz-ball. They have been in many colors.
Special Care: These rabbits require special diets and extensive daily grooming.

http://rabbitbreeds.org/all-rabbit-breeds.php

The Eastern Cottontail is the most common in my area. It is my favorite species of rabbits. So, I went to the "National Geographic" website to learn more about this specific species. Anything in green is from this website (link below).

Common Name: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Scientific Name: Sylvilagus floridanus
Type: Mammals
Diet: Herbivore
Average life span in The Wild: Up to 3 years
Size: 15.5 to 18.75 inches
Weight: 28 to 54 ounces
Size relative to a teacup:

About the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

There are several species of cottontail rabbit, but the eastern cottontail is the most common. This ubiquitous animal can be found from Canada to South America and, in the United States, from the East Coast to the Great Plains. Cottontails range from reddish brown to gray, but all feature the distinctive “cotton ball” tail for which they are named.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/e/eastern-cottontail-rabbit/

Rabbits vs Hares:

With almost 5,000 types of rabbits that come in a wide variety of sizes, what's the difference between a rabbit and a hare? According to Britannica.com:

Separating the two can be done by looking at the differences in size, life history, and preferred habitat. In general, rabbits are smaller and have shorter ears than hares. They are born without fur and with closed eyes after a gestation period of 30–31 days. Rabbits prefer to hide, rather than run, from their enemies. They prefer habitats composed of trees and shrubs, where they live in burrows dug into the soil. Hares, in contrast, are larger, and they are born fully developed with fur and open eyes after a gestation period lasting about 42 days. They are runners, preferring open-area habitats such as prairies, where they make their nests in small open depressions.

https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-rabbits-and-hares

But, if you just see one of them in the grass, how do you know what you are looking at? This link from National Geographic will help:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141219-rabbits-hares-animals-science-mating-courtship/

Not so fast. Our Weird Animal Question of the Week comes from Tristan Ishtar, who asked: "What's the difference between a rabbit and a hare? And is that where 'hare brained' came from?"

The short answer: A lot, and yes—the adjective "harebrained" likely refers to hares' skittish tendencies, especially in captivity.

Hares and rabbits are in the same family, Leporidae, but they're "different species, like sheep and goats are different species," Steven Lukefahr, a geneticist at Texas A&M University in Kingsville, said via email.

Hares are also larger, have longer ears, and are less social than rabbits. The "most profound difference" is seen in baby hares versus baby bunnies, said Philip Stott, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Are We Fair to the Hare?

As for "harebrained," which means flighty or foolish, Stott suspects it stems from the animals' unease in captivity, where they're prone to spooking at the slightest stimulus (sometimes accidentally causing their own deaths).

Stott, who has tried hand-raising hares, said even those that are bottle-fed from day one never really relax in his company.

The expression "mad as a March hare" is no doubt a reflection on hares' behavior during mating season, which involves leaping into the air, among other antics, Texas A&M's Lukefahr said.

The female hare, called a jill, tests the male, called a jack, by making him give chase over several miles, Stott says. If he catches her, she'll mate with him; if not, "he was poor paternal material anyway," Stott says.

Speed is crucial to hares' survival, especially for species that live on open plains, such as the European hare, which can run at 37 body lengths a second, he said. Cheetahs, he noted, "can only manage 23 body lengths per second."

Those speedy reflexes may be great for avoiding predators, but it makes hares a "poor pet," he said. That's another way they differ from rabbits, which the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals describes as "delightful companion animals."

Despite its name, a jackrabbit wouldn't make a good pet, either. It's called that because of its fabulous ears, which reminded its namers of a jackass, but it's not even a rabbit. It's a hare.

So, the best way to tell if that animal in the middle of the grass is a rabbit or a hare is based on three things.

1. Hares are bigger then rabbits.
2. Hares have longer ears then rabbits.
3. Hares are more skittish. Rabbits will stick around if you don't move. Hares run away instantly!

That picture actually surprised me. Usually, when I link of rabbits vs hares I think "rabbits have ears that point up and hares have ears that flop down". One thing I am learning from all of this research is that where the ears point doesn't determine if it is a rabbit or a hare.

Pet Rabbits:

I found a good resource for those considering a pet bunny. The green part is from the website. Here is the link:

https://myhouserabbit.com/new-to-rabbits/thinking-about-getting-a-pet-rabbit/

Rabbits make wonderful indoor pets. They are adorable and brimming with personality. But before you swoop into the shelter and pick out a cutie, there are a few things you should know to ensure a rabbit is right for you and your family.

Finances: Owning a pet rabbit comes with added financial responsibility. Be prepared to spend money up front on the adoption fee ($60+), as well as housing/food/bunny proofing supplies. In addition, be sure you’ll be able to afford ongoing costs for a bunny on food, litter, and vet bills (including spay/neuter fees if the bunny didn’t get the surgery while at the shelter/rescue). To give you an idea of costs, check out our article How Much Does a Pet Rabbit Cost?.

Bunny Housing: Rabbits are social animals. The location of a rabbit’s housing area within your home (which can take the form of a puppy pen, bunny condo, large cage, or just an area with the food, litter boxes, and cardboard castles if the bunny is free reign) is an extremely important consideration. You’ll have to make sure the rabbit has a place to relax by himself but is not completely secluded from the family. Rabbits need social interaction, plenty of exercise, and a lot of enrichment activities. Take a look at our Housing article to learn more.
Bunny Proofing: If the bunny will have free reign in the house/apartment/room, you will absolutely need to bunny proof the area. Even if you keep the bunny in a cage, condo, or puppy pen, you still will need to safeguard your home when you let the rabbit out for supervised exercise. Rabbits are very curious and persistent creatures. They will find a way to get into your computer cables, wires, molding, couch piping, slightly frayed rug, etc. They will eat your most important documents. Check out our Bunny Proofing article for tips on protecting your bunny and your things.
Enrichment: Rabbits will get into trouble if they’re bored. They’ll make their own fun chewing your possessions if you don’t provide alternate forms of entertainment. A great diversion for rabbits is a cardboard castle filled with empty toilet paper rolls, old phone books, and other paper products you find around the house.
Litter Box Training: Most rabbit rescues will start the process of litter training the bunnies they take in. So a rescue bunny should have the basics down, but sometimes rabbits forget their good habits once they move into their new home. This is natural because the drastic change in environment can be very stressful. Litter training can be frustrating at times, but the key is persistence and consistent reinforcement of good habits. Read our article about litter training to learn more.
Nutrition: It’s important to have a good understanding of a rabbit’s nutritional needs throughout his/her life. Proper nutrition (and in the correct amounts) is vital for a rabbit’s well-being. The staple of a rabbit’s diet is fiber. Rabbits must have access to unlimited grass hays at all times. It is very important to ensure that hay allergies will not pose a problem for anyone in the household. For a more detailed explanation of rabbit nutrition, see our article, What to Feed Your Pet Rabbit and Hay for Rabbits: Essential for Good Health. Another great link is the House Rabbit Society’s article about diet, which discusses the appropriate amounts as well as types of food to give your rabbit from youth to old age.
Bonding with a Bunny: Rabbits can be quite affectionate animals, but personalities definitely vary from individual to individual. Most rabbits don’t particularly like being held/picked up, and some bunnies are more aloof than others. See our article, Building a Relationship with Your Pet Rabbit, for more information about taking steps to bond with a bunny.Talk with a volunteer at a local rabbit rescue to learn more about which rabbit (or pair of rabbits) has a personality that would be a good fit for you and your family.
Traveling: Rabbits get very stressed out when traveling or when placed in unfamiliar environments, so it’s best to have a good pet sitter on hand to watch the bunny if you go on vacation. If you’re a big jet-setter, with the need or desire to move to various places around the world, rabbit ownership probably isn’t right for you. Very few airlines allow rabbits to fly in-cabin within the United States and abroad. Oftentimes rabbits are subjected to multi-month-long quarantine periods upon arrival into other countries, and in many places, pet rabbits are not permitted in at all.
Children and Rabbits: Rabbits live 10+ years. Adopting a rabbit is a long-term commitment. Rabbits are NOT low-maintenance pets. So adopting a bunny should be a family decision. When kids turn 18 and go to college or look for work, it’s important that the rabbit still has a safe, loving home. Read our article, Children and Pet Rabbits, for more information.

Bottom line: Do your research before adding a bunny to your family! While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of getting a pet rabbit, it’s important to first assess whether or not you can truly provide a good forever home to a bunny.

Below is the link to a vet website. It lists 10 reasons to consider rabbits for pets. I remember in elementary school my friend had a pet rabbit. Part of what we liked to do was take the rabbit out of it's hutch and chase it around the kitchen. Anything in green is from this website.

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/bunny-benefits-10-reasons-a-rabbit-might-be-the-pet-for-you

1. Bunnies are quiet.

If you live in an apartment building or have nearby neighbors, animal sounds can be a big concern. Generally, though, rabbits make little to no noise. The fact that bunnies are so quiet is also great if you’re a light sleeper and your rabbit decides he’s really a night owl.

2. Rabbits have personality plus.

People who have never had a rabbit as a pet don’t realize that rabbits actually have very distinct personalities. These animals can be charming, affectionate and very interactive. When choosing a bunny as a pet, spend some time getting to know him before you decide to take him home to be sure his personality fits yours. Just like more traditional pets, some bunnies are rambunctious and playful, while others may be more shy and reserved.

3. Rabbits bond closely with their owners.

Ask any bunny owner who interacts regularly with his pet and he’ll tell you that, just like dogs or cats, rabbits get to know their owners well. They recognize them by voice and sight and will even come on command. Bunnies may even follow their owners from room to room and jump up on their laps when called.

4. Rabbits need less space than other pets.

If you live in a small house or apartment and you’re looking for a cuddly pet who doesn’t require a lot of space and doesn’t need to be walked, a rabbit may be right for you. As long as bunnies get a couple of hours of exercise running around outside of their cages in a bunny-safe room or house, they may be kept in relatively small cages. The space needs to be large enough for them to stretch out in and allow room for a litter pan in one corner and a feeding station for hay and pellets in another. Some rabbits also like an upside-down box to hide in.

5. Rabbits are easily trained.

Bunnies can be trained not only to use a litterbox, but also to run through obstacle courses and to do tricks. Using the principles of positive reinforcement training, rabbit owners can encourage their pets to learn certain behaviors by repeatedly rewarding them with special treats when they perform these behaviors. It’s best to use novel treats that they only get during training. With just a few minutes of training a day, rabbits can learn to jump through hoops, retrieve items and run through mazes. Many rabbit owners don’t realize they can use the same techniques that are used to train dogs to train their smart bunnies as well!

6. Rabbits are long-lived.

Pet rabbits, when housed indoors and cared for properly, can live eight to 12 years or even longer. Small-breed rabbits can easily live into their teens when they are well taken care of. Long life span is an attraction for many people looking for small non-cat/non-dog pets, because most other small mammals kept as pets, such as hamsters, gerbils, rats and even guinea pigs, often don’t live as long. In general, rabbits housed indoors live longer than rabbits housed outdoors because they are not subject to attack from predators, overheating, frostbite, certain infections carried by other animals or found in soil, and other injuries.

7. Rabbits come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Given that there are more than 50 recognized rabbit breeds that vary both in size and in coat color, length and texture, there is a bunny breed for everyone. Different breeds of rabbits are known to have different temperaments, so it is important that you choose a pet rabbit based not only on looks, but also on personality.

8. Bunnies are easy to rescue.

There are so many abandoned bunnies given up to rabbit shelters every year that rescuing a needy rabbit is a relatively easy thing to do. Who wouldn’t feel good giving a homeless rabbit a new place to live? Rabbit shelters can be found in nearly every state, and the Internet is a great resource for finding one near you.

9. Rabbits are generally very clean pets.

Without some litterbox training, bunnies will poop frequently and often all over; however, they are generally clean animals. When given clean, dry, paper-based bedding in their cages to absorb urine and a place to defecate in the corner, they can easily be litterbox-trained and will generally keep themselves very clean with frequent grooming. Owners can help keep their bunnies clean by brushing them a few times a week. Long-haired rabbits, such as the Angora species, may need daily brushing to keep their coats from matting with bedding, hay or stool.

10. Bunnies are just so darn cute.

Can you think of a cuter pet than a fuzzy little bunny? While rabbits aren’t perfect pets for everyone, if a family has the time and finances (for food, housing and veterinary care) available for a rabbit and is willing to learn about the needs of these animals before adopting one, a bunny can be a wonderful addition to a loving home. If you’re considering a rabbit as a pet, be sure to talk to a bunny-savvy veterinarian or another experienced individual, such as a long-term rabbit breeder, in your area. There is also a great deal of useful, up-to-date information on rabbit care and behavior on the House Rabbit Society website.