# European Rabbit (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) The European Rabbit is a friendly little animal known for its long ears and fluffy tail. They love to hop around in grassy fields and are often seen in groups called colonies. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands and forests - **Also known as:** Common Rabbit, Wild Rabbit ![European Rabbit](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426233/objects/4498.jpg) ## Appearance The European Rabbit has soft, dense fur, typically grey-brown with a lighter belly and a short, fluffy white tail that has a dark top. Its long ears often have dark tips, helping to distinguish it from a hare. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Lagomorpha - **Family:** Leporidae - **Genus:** Oryctolagus ## Interesting facts - A rabbit's teeth never stop growing, so they must constantly chew! - Their ears can rotate 270 degrees independently to pinpoint sounds! - They sleep with their eyes partly open, always alert for predators! - When alarmed, rabbits thump their powerful hind legs to warn others! ## Special abilities - **Tunnel Master:** European Rabbits can dig extensive burrows called warrens that provide safe homes and escape routes from danger. - **Super Sprint:** European Rabbits can run in quick, zig-zag patterns, which helps them confuse and escape from chasing predators. - **Acute Hearing:** European Rabbits have long ears that rotate independently to pinpoint predator sounds from all directions. - **Nutrient Recycler:** European Rabbits digest their food twice by eating special droppings, gaining extra nutrients to stay healthy. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 34-50 cm - **Weight:** 1.3-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-9 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-12 - **Gestation:** 29-35 days ## Diet & Feeding These fluffy foragers munch on grasses, herbs, and clover to stay healthy and strong! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Clover, Dandelions, Leafy Weeds, Tree Bark - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Red foxes are common predators of rabbits. - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Golden eagles hunt rabbits from the sky. - **Eaten by:** Least Weasel (*Mustela nivalis*) — Weasels can fit into burrows to hunt them. - **Eats:** Annual Bluegrass (*Poa annua*) — Rabbits often graze on this common grass. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low European Rabbits are usually gentle, but it's best to watch them from a distance to keep them safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Rabbit? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Rabbit? 34-50 cm ### How much does European Rabbit weigh? 1.3-2.5 kg ### How long does European Rabbit live? 1-9 years ### How fast can European Rabbit move? 55 km/h ### What does European Rabbit eat? These fluffy foragers munch on grasses, herbs, and clover to stay healthy and strong! ### Where is European Rabbit usually found? Grasslands and forests ### How does European Rabbit hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park - [Lake Union Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-union-park) — Washington, US · Park - [American Camp - San Juan Island National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-camp-san-juan-island-national-historical-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park - [Nordpark (Düsseldorf)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nordpark-dusseldorf) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Park - [Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rathtrevor-beach-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-rabbit) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [European Rabbit: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit)