"Rabbit" - what is it, definition of the term
The term denotes a small, herbivorous mammal of the order Lagomorpha, distinguished by elongated ears, strong hind limbs adapted for leaping, a short fluffy tail, and continuously growing incisors; it inhabits burrows, feeds chiefly on grasses, herbs, and tender shoots, and exhibits a high reproductive rate.
Detailed information
The lagomorph commonly kept for meat, fur, or as a pet is a small, herbivorous mammal with a short stature, large ears, and powerful hind limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae, order Lagomorpha, and exhibits a rapid reproductive cycle: gestation lasts about 30 days, litter size ranges from three to twelve, and sexual maturity can be reached within three to six months. Digestive physiology relies on hindgut fermentation; the animal re-ingests soft feces (cecotrophs) to extract essential nutrients.
Natural range extends across temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Preferred environments include grasslands, meadows, forest edges, and cultivated fields. The species constructs shallow burrows or occupies abandoned rodent tunnels, demonstrating crepuscular activity patterns to avoid predation.
Ectoparasites that frequently infest this mammal include:
- Ixodid ticks – attach to the skin, feed on blood for several days, and may transmit bacterial agents such as Borrelia spp.
- Hemipteran bugs – feed on plant sap and can become opportunistic blood feeders on the host, causing localized irritation.
- Anopluran lice – wingless insects that cling to fur, causing pruritus and secondary dermatitis.
- Siphonapteran fleas – jump‑capable parasites that consume blood, potentially vectoring Yersinia spp. and Rickettsia spp.
Each parasite follows a distinct life cycle: ticks undergo egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages; bugs develop through incomplete metamorphosis; lice progress from egg to nymph to adult; fleas pass through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Infestation intensity correlates with poor hygiene, high population density, and warm, humid conditions.
Control strategies emphasize integrated management: regular grooming to remove adult insects, environmental sanitation to reduce off‑host stages, strategic use of approved acaricides and insecticides, and routine health monitoring to detect early signs of anemia or skin disease. Effective treatment combines topical agents with systemic medications, applied according to veterinary guidelines to prevent resistance development.