Cute and fluffy rabbits are often found in farms. During the breeding of these fuzzies, breeders have bred dozens of new breeds, and the animals themselves have presented the world with many funny, unique and simply interesting facts.
Rabbits are not rodents
These are mammals hare familiescommon throughout the world. This family includes rabbits, hares and pikas. These animals are distinguished by their long ears, short tail and long front paws. 
Biological classification of the rabbit
In addition to these signs, lagomorphs differ from rodents in the structure of the teeth and stomach. Lagomorphs, of course, are close to rodents, but are a separate evolutionary branch.
Good jumpers
They are the champions in long jump and height. Since 1987, rabbit jump competitions have been held in Sweden. The track for the competition borrowed from equestrian sport. Participants are divided into different categories according to the degree of training - from beginners to professionals. There are also different groups by weight of participants.
Records in this sport belong to the Danish Fuzzies:
- in length - 3 m;
- in height - 99.5 m.
The result of the high jump belongs to black and white Mimrelunds Tösen. Reached during the competition in 1997 in Herning, Denmark. And the record of the long jump was set by the long ebony Yabo in Horsens (Denmark) in 1999.
Did you know? The longest rabbit in the world - Darius It belongs to the breed of the Flemish giant. The length of his body is 129 cm. Mistress giant - Annette Edwards (UK, 2010).
Social animals
In nature, lagomorphs live in packs - from 10 to 100 individuals. They spend the bulk of their lives searching for food and saving themselves from predators. This allowed them to develop a special body language - flap ears, counters, etc. Without communication the rabbit may die. Communication increases stress resistance and immunity. 
Okunosima - Japanese Island of Rabbits
Lifespan
According to veterinarians, the average lifespan of pets is 5-6 years, while in nature it is 10-12. Communicating with cats or dogs at home does not replace fluffy with fellow dogs. Without social connections, he will live much less.
Did you know? The longest ears in the world belonged to the long-eared Lola. Their length - 79 cm. The animal was presented in 2003 at the exhibition of the American Association of Rabbit Breeders in Kansas.
Oldest rabbit
The oldest rabbit in the world has become Flopsy. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Flopsy was caught in the wild and lived with its owners for 18 years and 10.7 months. This fluffy pet lived in Australia in the second half of the 20th century (born in 1964). 
Another Guinness World Record Champion is the 17-year-old Bunny Du with the mistress Jenna.
Female bunny
The female reaches puberty by 6 months. Lagomorphs breed very actively, because are the basis of the food chain and only the mass character of the offspring can guarantee the survival of the species.
Did you know? One pair of breeding rabbits in 4 years can create up to 4 million new individuals. The bunny rabbit is ready for a new pairing and pregnancy within a few moments after the birth of babies.
False pregnancy
A rabbit has a false pregnancy. Unlike other mammals, female ovulation begins during mating. Signs of false pregnancy rabbit:
- becomes aggressive;
- starts to mark territory;
- arranges a nest;
- does not admit to the nest of other members of the herd.
In the case of a false pregnancy, this condition goes away after a few days. 
But it should be borne in mind that females who have suffered a false pregnancy will not have a healthy offspring. Therefore, if the animals are bred for meat or for obtaining skins, then such a female is separated into a separate cage to the maximum set of productive qualities. And if it is a pet, then it is better to sterilize it in order to avoid complications and problems with the organs of the reproductive system.
See also: Interesting facts about chickens
Feature of pregnancy
Pregnancy rabbit can occur more than 4 times a year. Usually it is February, May, August, November. To ensure pregnancy, farmers practice the second pairing of the female after a few days with another male. If the female is already pregnant, she does not allow the male to come to her. 
The structure of the female reproductive organs is unique - it can wear two litters at the same time, conceived from two males with whom it was mated. Ovulation causes the first hormonal surge - the female becomes restless, the mammary glands begin to function. After a few days, molting begins, it can serve as the main external sign of pregnancy. The female builds a nest of down and grass. Pregnancy rabbit lasts 31-32 days. In the offspring is usually 5-8 babies.
Important! If the rabbit is a pet, then it is better to sterilize it. This will keep your pet healthy. Overexcitation of the rabbit from the lack of a partner adversely affects her health.
Feeding baby rabbits
In the first weeks after birth, rabbits feed the rabbit. Feeding lasts about 5 minutes. During this time, the baby consumes 1 ml of milk. Babies are growing rapidly and in a week they weigh 10 times more than at the time of birth. Mother's milk helps the formation of the immune system in babies. They eat weekly rabbits from 3 to 5 times a day. 
At the age of 20 days, rabbits can independently drink milk from a bowl, eat chopped root vegetables and greens. The diet must have water, because without it, the little rabbit develops kidney diseases.
Learn more about baby rabbit care: when to set aside a rabbit, than to feed it.
Shy creatures
The lurelike agility is influenced by genetic predisposition, social and environmental factors. If something caused the animal pain - he remembers it and in the future tries to avoid contact with the subject that “offended” him. Signs of fear: rolling eyes, growling, grumbling, stomping. 
Day and night, the animals do not see very clearly, so any large moving object can be perceived as a danger, including the owner. The only thing that helps the pet to accurately recognize the object is a developed sense of smell.
Important! In nature, predators are always higher than lagomorphs. Therefore, the rise up in height can frighten a pet to death. Do not raise rabbits this way!
Running rabbit
On average, a rabbit runs at a speed of 40-70 km / h. The shape of the body of the animal is designed specifically for running and jumping - strong legs, elongated springy body. The maximum running speed is 73 km / h. 
Water in the diet
In summer, the rabbit with offspring can drink up to 1.5 liters of water per day. Young animals need 100 g of water per 1 kg of body weight. An adult needs 350 g of water per day. A two-kilogram animal is a champion in water absorption, he drinks as much as a 10-kilogram dog. 
Rabbits - food source
Rabbit meat is tasty and nutritious meat, which helps to maintain proper metabolism. Due to the speed of reproduction animals can provide humans with regular meat. Therefore, in ancient times, rabbits were released on the desert islands so that in case of shipwreck, victims had a source of food that would help them wait for salvation. 
Nowadays, rabbit meat production is 200 million tons per year. Most of the rabbits are consumed by residents of Malta, Italy and Cyprus - from 9 to 4 kg per person per year. The largest manufacturers of this product are China, Russia, Italy.
Did you know? Very rare rabbit infection - tularemia or rabbit fever. You can get it from infected lepidaceous meat.
Rabbit eyes
The eyes of the rabbit are located on both sides of the head, which allows it to see everything around it at 360 ° with the blind zone directly in front of the nose and behind the ears. At the same time, the animal does not need to turn its head at all. This feature of vision allows the lagomorphs to see everything above their heads without lifting it. Especially well the animal distinguishes objects in the distance. 
Rabbit - twilight animal. It is most active in the evening and morning time of day, for the same period accounts for the most clear perception of the surrounding world by animals.
We advise you to read about the breeding of rabbits (as a business), as well as the breeds of rabbits: decorative, fur and downy; whites.
Video: funny about bunnies
Studying more facts about animals, we not only expand our horizons, but also get an opportunity to improve the living conditions of these wonderful animals during breeding. It also helps to better recognize their pets, improve breeds and set new records.
