Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The European Rabbit




The 'European Rabbit' (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe (Spain and Portugal). It has been widely introduced elsewhere often with devastating effects on local biodiversity. However, its decline in its native range (caused by the diseases myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus as well as over-hunting and habitat loss) has caused the decline of its highly dependent predators, the Iberian Lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle. It is known as an invasive species for the fact it has been introduced to countries on all continents with the exception of Antarctica and Asia, and caused many problems within the environment and ecosystems as well. Australia has the most problems with European Rabbits, since there is lack of predators to these animals there.

The European Rabbit is well-known for digging networks of burrows called warrens, where it spends most of its time when not feeding. Unlike the related hares (Lepus), rabbits are altricial, the young being born blind and furless, in a fur-lined nest in the warren, and they are totally dependent upon their mother.

The European Rabbit is a small, grey-brown mammal ranging from 34-45 cm (13-18 inches) in length, and is approximately 1.3-2.2 kg (3-5 lb) in weight. As a lagomorph, it has four sharp incisors (two on top, two on bottom) that grow continuously throughout its life, and two peg teeth on the top behind the incisors, dissimilar to those of rodents (which have only 2 each, top and bottom). Rabbits have long ears, large hind legs, and short, fluffy tails. Rabbits move by hopping, using their long and powerful hind legs. To facilitate quick movement, a rabbit's hind feet have a thick padding of fur to dampen the shock of rapid hopping. Their toes are long, and are webbed to keep from spreading apart as the animal jumps.

The European Rabbit has been introduced as an exotic species into a number of environments, with baleful results to vegetation and local wildlife. Locations include the British Isles (from 1066 with the Norman invasion; as of November 2004 there were about 40 million European Rabbits in Britain), Laysan Island (1903) and Lisianski Island in the Hawaiian Islands; Macquarie Island; Smith Island, San Juan Island (around 1900) later spreading to the other San Juan Islands; Australia and New Zealand.

Friday, April 24, 2009

The cottontail rabbits



The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. It is one of the most common rabbit species in North America.
The cottontail rabbits are the 16 lagomorph species in the genus Sylvilagus, found in the Americas.

In appearance most cottontail rabbits closely resemble the wild European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Most members of the genus have a stub tail with a white underside that shows when they are retreating, giving them their name "cottontails." However, this feature is not present in all cottontails (for example, the underside of the Brush Rabbit's tail is grey), nor is it unique to the genus (for example, the European Rabbit also has a white scut).

The genus is widely distributed across North America, Central America, and South America, though most species are confined to particular regions. Most (though not all) species live in nests called forms, and all have altricial young.

Cottontail rabbits show a greater resistance to myxomatosis than European rabbits

The Eastern Cottontail is chunky red-brown or gray-brown in appearance with large hind feet, long ears and a short fluffy white tail. Its underside fur is white. There is a rusty patch on the tail.
Its appearance differs from that of a hare in that it has a brownish-gray coloring around the head and neck. The body is lighter color with a white underside on the tail. It has large brown eyes and large ears to see and listen for danger. In winter the cottontail's pelage is more gray than brown. The kittens develop the same coloring after a few weeks, but they also have a white blaze that goes down their forehead; this marking eventually disappears. The average adult weighs about 2-4 pounds; however the female tends to be heavier.

The Eastern Cottontail can be found in meadows and shrubby areas in the eastern and south-central United States, southern Canada, eastern Mexico, Central America and northernmost South America. It is abundant in Midwest North America, and has been found in New Mexico and Arizona. Its range expanded north as forests were cleared by settlers. Originally, it was not found in New England, but it has been introduced there and now competes for habitat there with the native New England Cottontail.

The Eastern Cottontail eats green vegetation such as grasses and clover in summer and bark, buds and twigs in winter. Its diet includes grasses, fruits, and vegetables in the spring and summer, and twigs, bark, dogwoods and maple trees in the winter. This animal is active at night; it does not hibernate in winter. People also hunt it for food in many parts of its range; its fur is also used for clothing. On farms and in gardens, the Eastern Cottontail is usually considered a pest and is often trapped or shot to protect plants.

Mating occurs from February to September. Males will mate with more than one female. Female rabbits have 2 to 4 large litters of up to 9 young[citation needed], called kits or kittens, in a year. The female builds a nest in the ground lined with grass and fur. After the female has given birth to her offspring, she can mate again immediately thereafter. The kittens are weaned after 3 weeks and leave the nest after seven weeks. The kittens then reach mating age after three months.

Hunting and predation prevent the rabbit population from growing out of control. Only about 20-25% of young rabbits remain alive within a year after birth and 85% of adults or young are killed every year by predators (including humans)[citation needed]. Regular predators include hawks (especially red-tailed hawks), eagles, owls (especially great horned owls), red foxes, coyotes, bobcats, canadian lynxes and weasels.

The Eastern Cottontail is a very territorial animal. It is nocturnal and is also active during early dawn and late dusk. When running, it can jump from 15 feet, which can aid in avoiding predators[citation needed]. When chased, it runs in a zigzag pattern so the animal chasing it will lose its scent and so the rabbit is harder to follow. It can run up to 18 miles per hour[citation needed]. The cottontail prefers an area where it can hide quickly but be out in the open. Forests, swamps, thickets, bushes or open areas where it can dig a burrow are optimal habitation sites for this species.




Thursday, April 23, 2009

Swamp Rabbit





The Swamp Rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) is a large cottontail rabbit found in the swamps and wetlands of the Southern United States. S. aquaticus is similar in appearance to other cottontails, although it is among the largest members of the genus. It is generally brown, with the bottom of its stubby tail colored white. Adult male and female specimens of this species weigh between three and six pounds (1.5 - 2.7 kg). It is uncommon in rabbits for the female to weigh as much as the male.

The swamp rabbit eats reeds, plants, and grasses native to its marshy habitat. The swamp rabbit nests above ground in small dens made of dead plants and lined with its shed fur. When fleeing a predator, the swamp rabbit can run over 45 miles per hour, usually in an evasive zig-zag pattern.

S. aquaticus is a skilled swimmer, often crossing streams, ponds and rivers. The semi-aquatic cottontail will occasionally hide from natural enemies by sitting still in shallow water, exposing only its nose to the air to breathe.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

"Amami rabbit"


Amami rabbit or in the name of Englishman "Amami rabbit" of the family Leporidae, in the name of science Pentalagus furnessi.The Amami Rabbit or Amami no Kuro Usagi,also known as the Ryukyu Rabbit, is a primitive dark-furred rabbit which is only found in Amami Ōshima and Toku-no-Shima, two small islands between southern Kyūshū and Okinawa in Kagoshima Prefecture (but actually closer to Okinawa) in Japan. Often called a living fossil, the Amami Rabbit is a living remnant of ancient rabbits that once lived on the Asian mainland, where they died out, remaining only on the two small islands where they survive today.

The Amami Rabbit has short legs, a somewhat bulky body, rather large and curved claws, and is active at night. Its ears are also significantly smaller than those of other rabbits or hares. A forest-dweller, it apparently only has one (or sometimes two) young at once, which the mother digs a hole in the ground for them to hide in during the day. At night, the mother opens the entrance to the hole, while watching for predators (like venomous snakes), and then nurses its young, after which it closes the hole with dirt and plant material by thumping on it with its front paws. Amami Rabbits sleep during the day in hidden places, such as caves. Amami Rabbits are also noted for making calling noises, which sound something like the call of a pika; this makes them unique as most rabbits cannot make calling noises.

The Amami Rabbit is endangered, because of hunting, which ended when Japan gave the rabbit legal protection in 1921, but also because of deforestation and killings by dogs, cats, and other animals introduced by humans, which continue today. In particular, mongooses released by island residents to kill poisonous snakes have killed a large number of Amami Rabbits. Deforestation is also very harmful to the rabbits, especially as they are asleep during daylight, and will often be killed without being able to flee.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Rabbit "black lipid pika"


Pikas, cousins of rabbits, are small chinchilla-like animals, with short limbs, rounded ears, and short tails. The name pika (archaically spelled pica) is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomorphs, which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). One genus, Ochotona, is recognised within the family, and it includes 30 species. Pikas are also called rock rabbits or coneys. It is also known as the "whistling hare" due to its high-pitched alarm call when diving into its burrow. The name "pika" appears to be derived from the Tungus "piika", or perhaps from the Russian "pikat", to squeak. In English the pronunciation of the name is usually anglicised.
Pikas are native to cold climates, mostly in Asia, North America and parts of eastern Europe. Most species live on rocky mountain sides, where there are numerous crevices to shelter in, although some also construct crude burrows. A few burrowing species are instead native to open steppe land. In the mountains of Eurasia, pikas often share their burrows with snowfinches, which build their nests there.

Pikas are small hamster-like animals, with short limbs, rounded ears, and short tails. They are about 18-20 cm in body length, with a tail less than 2 cm long, and weigh between 75 and 290 grams, depending on species. Like rabbits, after eating they initially produce soft green feces, which they eat again to extract further nutrition, before producing the final, solid, fecal pellets.

These animals are herbivores, and feed on a wide variety of plant matter. Because of their native habitat, they primarily eat grasses, sedges, shrub twigs, moss, and lichen.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Distribution, habitat and behavior american pika rabbit

The American Pika can be found throughout western North America, spanning from central British Columbia in Canada to the US states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California and New Mexico.[5]

They generally reside in mountainous, rocky areas, within elevations of 2,400-4,000 meters (8,000-13,000 feet), or above the tree line. They make their homes in the cracks between piles of rocks. Although they live in groups, American Pikas are territorial and will guard their area from others.

The American Pika is diurnal, or active throughout the day. They devote most of the day to searching for food, guarding their territory, and watching for predators, which includes: eagles, hawks, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and weasels.

As the pika is a vocal animal, they can use both calls and songs to communicate among themselves. A call is used to warn when a predator is lurking near, and a song is during the breeding season (males only), and during autumn (both males and females).[

about 'american pika' rabbit


The American Pika (Ochotona princeps) is a diurnal species of pika that is found in the mountains of western North America, usually in boulder fields at or above tree line. They are flower-gathering animals, which are the smallest of the rabbit group. The American Pika has a small, round, egg-shaped body, which is covered with brown fur. They have large and round ears, and no visible tail. Their body length ranges from 162 to 216 millimeters (6-8 inches). Their hind feet range from 25 to 35 mm (1-1½ in).[4] They usually weigh about 170 grams (6 ounces).

rabbit categories

Arnab between species that are in this world are: --

1. North American pika, or the name Inggeris "North American pika" Ochotonidae from the family, the name sainsnya Ochonotona princeps
2. Pika black lips or Inggeris "Black-lipped pika" Ochotonidae from the family, the name sainsnya Ochonotona curzoniae
3. Amami rabbit or Inggeris "Amami rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Pentalagus furnessi
4. Paya rabbit or Inggeris "Swamp rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Brachylagus aquaticus
5. Arnab Ekor East Cotton or Inggeris "Eastern cottontail" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Brachylagus floridanus
6. Pygmy rabbit, or the name Inggeris "Pygmy rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Brachylagus idahoensis
7. Arnab Inggeris Europe or the name "European rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Orytolagus cuniculus
8. Volcano rabbit, or the name Inggeris "Volcano rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Romerolagus diazi
9. Arnab War, or the name Inggeris "Brown rabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Lepus europaeus
10. Arnab Artik or Inggeris "Arctic Hare" from the family Leporidae, the name sains Lepus arcticus
11. Arnab Mount or Inggeris "Mountain Hare" from the family Leporidae, the name sains Lepus timidus
12. Arnab Ekor Jack Black or Inggeris name "Black-tailed Jackrabbit" of the family Leporidae, the name sains Lepus californicus

introducing of rabbit



Arnab or in English known as the Rabbit is the kind of dainty small mammals. Is the scientific name of rabbit Oryctolagus spp.

Rabbit object is a living from natural animal filum kordata in the classroom in order lagomorpha mammals. Rabbit is maun animal is the main food plants. The distinction between the rabbit is a rabbit with the mouse has two cutting teeth (incisors) part maxilla. Structure of rabbit skull is lighter, has a hole shaped hole aft nose, and tails that short and rounded.

Rabbit often be hunted by animal carnivore, by the rabbit has advantages multiply quickly. As the animal mammals, warm-blooded rabbit, flourish with the birth of children. Rabbit and keep feeding the child.

Rabbit ears that have long acted as penyisih Haba, and also hearing a strong sense to help rabbit scan enemy. In addition, to escape from the animal carnivore, rabbit able to move with the rate jump. rabbit be found in the various regions and climates, from the tundra, a simple temperature, tropics, and also in the wilderness.
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