Rabbits are small mammals
in the family Leporidae, found in many parts of the world. There
are seven different genera in the family classified as rabbits,
including the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), cottontail
rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus
furnessi, an endangered species on Amami Oshima, Japan). They
are distinguished from the related hares in that they are altricial,
having young that are born blind and hairless; many also live
underground in burrows.
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For jackrabbits,
which are actually hares, in the genus Lepus, see hare. Rabbits
vary in size and weight. As a lagomorph, they have 4 sharp incisors
(2 on top, 2 on bottom) that grow continuously throughout their
life, and two peg teeth on the top behind the inscisors, dissimilar
to those of rodents (which have only 2 each, top and bottom).
Rabbits have long ears, large hind legs, and short fluffy tails.
Rabbits move by hopping, using their long and powerful hind legs.
To facilitate quick movement, rabbit hind feet have a thick padding
of fur to dampen the shock of rapid hopping. Their toes are long,
and are webbed to keep themselves from spreading apart as they
jump. They are well-known for digging networks of burrows called
warrens, where they spend most of their time when not feeding.
The young being born blind and furless, in a furlined nest in
the warren, and totally dependent upon their mother.
Images 1 &
2 Are Courtesy Of Fun Group Inc.
Images 3 & 4 Are CourtesyOf pdphoto.org
Image Number 5 Is Courtesy Of The U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Images 6 Through 12 Is Courtesy Of The U.S.D.A.
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