A female rabbit is called a
doe. A male rabbit is called a buck. A baby rabbit is
called a kit.
A rabbit's parents are known as the dam (mother) and the sire
(father).
People breed and show purebred rabbits.
Purebred show rabbits (and sometimes purebred pet rabbits) get identification tattoos in their left ears.
Female rabbits are always
fertile because they are induced ovulators, meaning that they only
release eggs after being mounted by a male rabbit.
A female rabbit can become
pregnant again the same day that she gives birth.
There are over 40 different
breeds of domestic rabbits recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders
Association (ARBA).
The most recent breeds to join ARBA's list of recognized breeds
are the Mini Satin and the Thrianta, both of which were added to the list
in 2006. Some breeders are hoping that the Lionhead
willbe the next to join the list.
Rabbits have a "third
eyelid." It is clear and protects and moistens the eye.
Rabbits have a 10 degree
blind spot right in front of their face. This is why your rabbit
will not notice something you put right in front of them.
The mound of fur and fat
beneath a mature female rabbit’s chin is called a dewlap. (Some males
also have dewlaps.)
Rabbits are crepuscular, which means that they are most active at
dawn and at dusk.
If you want to get your rabbit to move over or out of the way,
nudge his/her rear end. Rabbits nip/nudge each other's bottoms to
say "move out of my way."
The endangered Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit
(Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)
is named after Hugh Hefner.
