They’re cute and cuddly enough to make a wonderful pet but some types of rabbits need freedom to thrive. Learn more about rabbits and discover how high a rabbit can jump!
What is a Rabbit?
There are 25 different rabbit species, and the term rabbit refers to each of these. These are small mammals that have long ears and belong to the Leporidae family. You may have heard the term hare used synonymously with the term rabbit, but this is incorrect. Naming conventions only add to the confusion, as jackrabbits are actually hares and rockhares are actually rabbits. Naming complexity aside, to be clear, rabbits have no fur when they’re born. Plus, it takes about a month for them to open their eyes. This is not true for hares.
If there are trees and shrubs around, rabbits are likely to dwell in these areas, creating burrows in the soil around them. They’re versatile animals, finding multiple environments comfortable for living. As much as they can thrive in a tropical forest, they can also make do in a desert environment. Sadly, half of the rabbits found throughout the world are endangered, making them a particularly vulnerable species worth conserving.
Types of Rabbits
You could place rabbits into two broad categories. The first would be the type of rabbit you can keep as a pet and the other is a wild rabbit. American rabbits, for instance, are a popular pet choice. These rabbits have gentle, relaxed temperaments — so much so that you might consider them kind of slothful. There are other rabbit breeds known for having higher levels of energy like the Belgian hare rabbit, for instance. This is a curious breed known for being active, even learning tricks when trained appropriately.