Rabbits

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Rabbits
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Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class
Mammalia Order Lagomorpha Family
Leporidae Genus Oryctolagus Species
cunniculus
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General Info

• - 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.

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• 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.

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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.
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Power Point Assignment
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!
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Rabbit Anatomy
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Rabbit Skeleton
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Housing
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.
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FEEDING

• 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.

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Coprophagy
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.
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Handling
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.
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Reproduction
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.
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Disease Ailments
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 www.rabbits.com www.rabbitweb.net