Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit)

Origin: The wild rabbit is probably from Asia. However, the rabbits we know have been bred to such an extent that there are many breeds that come from all kinds of different places in the world.
Length: 35 to 40 cm.
Age: 8 to 10 years. Large breeds often get less old: about 5 to 6 years.
Rabbits are sweet, active animals that love to jump and hop around. They belong to the lagomorph and are therefore not rodents, as many people often think and say. Rabbits are known for their long ears and soft fur. There are many different colors and types of rabbits. This makes them fun, diverse animals to keep.

Grooming
Experience: None
Food: Rabbits are naturally herbivores and need a lot of fiber. For this they need a lot of roughage such as hay. This must be offered unlimited. Grass and vegetables are also possible, but you should get your rabbit used to this slowly.
Not all vegetables are good for your rabbit. Gas-forming vegetables such as coal and leeks are not recommended.
It is also good to give hard food. This is simply for sale at the animal specialty store. Biks are the easiest to give, since the animal gets all the nutrients with it and cannot sort out the tasty things. Do not give an adult rabbit more than 20 grams of kibble per kilogram of body weight per day. Note that an active outdoor rabbit needs more than a quiet indoor rabbit. Weighing your rabbit from time to time can be helpful.
Water bowl: not required.
Water bottle: Yes.
Change water: Daily.

Food:
A good sturdy food bowl must be present in the enclosure. You can hang a bottle with a metal nipple in front of the water bottle. A water bowl can also be placed to replace the water bottle.

Water:
You can also place a stone water bowl in the loft instead of a water bottle. Research has shown that rabbits even prefer to drink from a water bowl than a water bottle.
Cleaning: The rabbit's cage should be cleaned at least once a week. If the loft starts to smell, you are too late.
Cleaning the loft doesn't have to be difficult. Rabbits are very clean animals and can be house trained. You do this by placing a special rabbit toilet bowl (a regular washing-up bowl or the bottom of a litter box is also fine) in the hutch. Fill this with a little extra bedding. For the first few weeks, you will need to scoop a little of the animal's dung and urine into that bowl so that the animal begins to link feces to that bowl. Ultimately, the animal will mainly fatten in that container and you will therefore only have to clean this container daily and only a few times a week for the rest of the stay. However, you should clean the toilet bowl weekly with a little vinegar to remove and prevent deposits.
Furthermore, change the water every day and regularly clean the food bowl and water bowl / bottle.

Handling
Rabbits like to be stroked, but they prefer not to be lifted. In addition to being able to bite, rabbits can also kick and scratch with their hind legs. Therefore, only pick up rabbits when it is really necessary and do this carefully. For example, do not let small children pick up the rabbit themselves.
If you want to lift a rabbit, do this as follows: make sure the animal does not have its head towards you. Put your one hand around his butt. Slide your other hand under his chest. Lift the rabbit and place it against your body, preferably with the head under your arm. This keeps the rabbit calm.
When returning it, it is best to put the animal backwards in the pen. This prevents the animal from jumping or falling from your arms and injuring itself.
Be careful never to lift a rabbit by its ears or shoulder skin. If the animal then starts to flounder, the animal can break its back.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 2 rabbits:
For dwarf rabbits without access to a run: minimum 160 x 60 x 50 cm, with a minimum size of 120 x 70 x 50 cm for any additional floors.
For large rabbits (5 kg or more) without access to a run: minimum 300 x 100 x 80 cm. A floor is not recommended for these rabbits.
For dwarf rabbits with continuous access to a run: minimum 120 x 60 x 50 cm.
For large rabbits (5 kg or more) with continuous access to a run: minimum 210 x 100 x 80 cm.
Temperature: Between 15 and 21 degrees.
Hours of light: 12 hours. (does not need a lamp or artificial light)
Ground cover: As ground cover you can use different grains or sawdust types. Think of broken corn cobs, paper, cardboard, straw grains, hemp fibers or newspapers with a layer of straw or hay.
Sawdust can also be used, but make sure it is not too dusty. This can cause respiratory problems and irritated eyes. Sawdust from coniferous wood can also be very unhealthy in the long run.
Furnishing: rabbits therefore need a good, sturdy food and water bowl in their cages. It is important that with a group of rabbits there are several food and water bowls, because otherwise some rabbits will not be able to access the food. It must also not be possible to throw in ground cover and it must not be possible to walk around it.
Rabbits also like to sit in or under something. Make sure that there are several hiding places available. This can be a cardboard box or wooden shelters. It is best if the shelters have multiple entrances and exits, so that the rabbit does not feel trapped.
Some rabbits also like to sit on things, so a tray is ideal for these rabbits. Here they can sit on and under.
It is also important that the rabbit has toys and gnawing material. Willow or hazel branches are suitable for this, but a hay rack, tunnels and various rabbit toys are also good options.
Make sure that the materials are safe. So no toxic things like paint and glue, no sharp parts and no materials from which splinters or wires come off that they can eat. Also make sure that the rabbit cannot get trapped anywhere.

Behaviour
Lifestyle: Rabbits are naturally active animals. They enjoy digging corridors that they live in, but they also spend a lot of time above ground foraging for food, running and playing. They eat mainly in the evening and in the morning, while in the afternoon they usually rest.
Rabbits like to live in groups and to lie together. They also like to help each other to take care of the coat.

Character:
Rabbits are calm little creatures that enjoy playing and being petted. They are very curious and eager to learn. So it is not difficult to teach a rabbit new things. They do need a lot of space, because they like to be active and jump around.
Points of attention:
Rabbits are group animals and prefer to sit with several congeners. Another rodent for company is not recommended, because these animals do not understand each other and often need different nutrition. It is therefore best to keep a rabbit together with another rabbit.
Rabbits are also very sensitive to diseases. Many of these problems are often related to poor / incorrect nutrition. If your rabbit is not eating you should call the vet immediately. If action is not taken quickly, the rabbit's intestines can become silent and the animal will die.
There are also two dangerous and contagious rabbit diseases. Vaccines are available for both and this is strongly recommended to have it done.
maggot disease is also a well-known phenomenon in rabbits. Meat flies lay eggs in the fur of the rabbit. It is therefore important that you regularly comb and care for the fur of the animal (especially with long-haired rabbits).
Female rabbits are susceptible to uterine cancer and inflammation at a later age. This can be prevented by neutering the animal at around 6 months.

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: You do not need a special permit to keep a rabbit.
One-off costs: One-off costs include the costs for, for example, the pen, the food bowl, the water bottle, shelters, toilet bowl, etc. These costs quickly fall into the hundreds of euros, depending on size and quality.
Fixed costs: By fixed costs we mean the costs for feed, hay and bedding. This can amount to tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Unexpected costs can also occur. Think of vet costs if your animal gets sick.