Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Oryctolagus
Species: cunniculus
- The main difference between rabbits and rodents is that
rabbits have 4 upper incisor teeth, whereas rodents have 2
chisel-like incisor teeth.
- Rabbits date back to 1100 BC along the coast of Spain.
- Domestication of the rabbit is given to French monks of the
Middle Ages. They were used for: meat, research, fur/wool,
and as pets.
- Rabbit meat has the following advantages: high in protein,
low in cholesterol, low in fat, low in sodium, very
palatable. Rabbit meat is primarily a white meat thats very
fine in texture and has a very low fiber content (making it
easily digestible). Italy, Germany, France and Spain are
worlds largest producers and consumers of rabbits.
- The number of rabbits used in research projects in the US reached
a high of about 554,000 in 1987. The number has declined since
due to public protest and the development of alternative methods
for doing research.
- Rabbits have been used in the Draize Eye Test, which has been
used by many companies to test cosmetics. Rabbits dont have tear
ducts and cant shed tears to dilute chemicals or products put into
their eyes.
- Skin irritation tests have also been used with rabbits. A small patch
of fur is removed along the back of the animal, and the product
being tested is applied to the bare area to note any irritations or
reactions.
- Rabbit fur is divided into 4 types: normal, rex, angora and satin.
Each type of fur can be used in the manufacture of clothing, toys,
coats, hats, and gloves. White is the preferred color because it can
be used to match almost any type of animal fur.
REX FUR: short, with guard hairs being the same length; hair stands up
straight at a right angle to the skin. This combination gives the fur a very
soft, plush characteristic.

ANGORA: rabbit wool. Softer, finer, warmer and much lighter in weight
than sheep wool. Rabbit wool doesnt cause the irritation and isnt as
scratchy as sheeps wool. Value of Angora wool depends on its thickness,
quality, and length. The English Angora rabbits produce the finest-
quality wool; these rabbits produce 8-17 ounces of wool per year and
command the highest prices.

SATIN FUR: mutation that first appeared in the 1930s. Has a smaller
diameter and a transparent outer shell, which gives a more intense
appearance to the color. The transparent shell also gives the fur its sheen,
luster, and slick appearance.
There are about 70 different breeds of domestic rabbits divided into 5
weight categories: dwarf (miniature), small, medium, large, and giant.

Select one breed of rabbit from each of the weight categories to

present to the class. You should include: photo, characteristics,
coloring, weight, nutrition, diet, grooming, handling, and housing. Be
sure to include the sites where you found the info! Remember to
include your name on the title slide and save a copy to the HS Drop
Box Folder, Wright, and then Pre-Vet folder. Name your PowerPoint
your first and last name!
Houses used to keep rabbits are referred to as hutches.
Wire cages are recommended for most rabbits; over 12
pounds should be kept on solid wood floors to prevent
sore hocks.
Can be raised outside year round and can stand
extremely cold temperatures as long as theyre out of
the wind.
Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit become
difficult for rabbits to tolerate.
- Galvanized-metal self-feeders are the easiest to use and
prevent a lot of waste. Other types of feeders can be used,
such as ceramic or plastic bowls.
- The easiest way to feed rabbits is to use one of the
commercially prepared pellet-type feeds.
- Green lettuce or other types of leafy green vegetables
should not be fed to rabbits, especially young ones. The
green, leafy vegetables have a high water content and cause
diarrhea and dehydration because the rabbits cease to drink
water.
- Clean, fresh water should always be available to rabbits;
especially during the warm summer months.
Term associated with eating of fecal matter.
Rabbits consume their own feces. Fecal matter is
of two types: a hard, dry type thats normally seen
in cage under wire flooring; and a soft form that
rabbits consume as its being expelled. Because
this type is normally consumed at night, its often
referred to as night feces. Coprophagy allows
rabbits to recover nutrients that were unabsorbed
during the first pass through the digestive tract.
When handling, one hand slips in under chest and belly.
Place other hand behind the rabbit. Remove it from cage tail
first to prevent the rabbits legs from getting caught in the
cage. If the animal feels secure and comfortable, it wont
struggle or try to escape. The head of the rabbit can be
tucked in under the arm toward the elbow of the arm thats
being used to support the rabbit. Correct restraint is
important because a frightened rabbit can kick hard enough
to fracture its own spine. When setting a rabbit down, one
must do so gently and slowly, letting the animal see where
its going so that it wont get frightened. The handler should
set the rabbit down, hind end first.
Sexually mature at 4-8 months, depending on breed. No
regular heat cycle. In nature, the female rabbit becomes
sexually active based on the length of day and temperature.
To mate a doe, she should be placed in the females cage.
Gestation is 30-32 days. Kindling is the term used for the
birth process in rabbits. Young eyes will open at 12-14 days;
at 4-8 weeks, the litter can be weaned.
Enteritis Tyzzers Disease Coccidiosis
Snuffles Wry Neck Entertoxemia
Mastitis Weepy Eye Papillomatosis
Syphilis Ringworm Ear Mite
Pinworms Wet Dewlap Fur Chewing
Hutch Burn Sore Hocks Malocclusion
Infectious Myxomatosis
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