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[[Image:Rabbit.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A white pet rabbit.]]
{| class="collapsible collapsed"
{{Taxobox
! Button 2
| color = pink
|-
| name = Rabbit
|Text 2
| image =
|}
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = [[Desert Cottontail]] (''Sylvilagus audubonii'')
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Lagomorpha]]
| familia = [[Leporidae]]
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
''[[Pentalagus]]''<br />
''[[Bunolagus]]''<br />
''[[Nesolagus]]''<br />
''[[Romerolagus]]''<br />
''[[Brachylagus]]''<br />
''[[Sylvilagus]]''<br />
''[[European Rabbit|Oryctolagus]]''<br />
''[[Poelagus]]''
}}
A '''[[rabbit]]''' is a small [[herbivorous]] [[mammal]] known for its long [[ear]]s and quick bursts of speed.  The word "rabbit" is sometimes used to refer to the related [[hare]], although properly they are distinguished in that rabbits are [[altricial]], having young that are born blind and hairless; many also live underground in [[burrow]]s or [[Warren (domestic)|warrens]]. Rabbits and hares have four upper incisor [[tooth|teeth]] placing them in the order lagomorpha rather than the popular misconception that they are [[rodent]]s, which have only two.
 
==Rabbits in the wild==
Rabbits inhabit [[Europe]], [[Africa]] and [[Asia]].  The rabbit ''Oryctolagus cuniculus'' is native to central and southern Europe and north Africa.  The red rabbit, (''Pronolagus'') is found in [[South Africa]].  Other species of rabbit include the grass rabbit (''Poelagus'') of [[Sudan]], the bristly rabbit (''Caprolagus'') of the [[Himalayas]], the [[Liukiu Island]] rabbit (''Pentalagus''), and the [[Sumatra]] rabbit (''Nesolagus''). A striped species of rabbit has been found in Asia. <noinclude><ref>Striped rabbits in Southeast Asia, Nature, Vol. 400, 19 August 1999, p. 726, [http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/snee/rabbit.pdf] </ref></noinclude>
 
Rabbits were [[invasive species|introduced]] to [[Australia]] in 1859 and spread there so prolifically that they became a nuisance to [[agriculture]].  The virus ''[[Myxoma virus|Myxomytosis]]'' was released and succeeded in the purpose of reducing the rabbit population at least temporarily.
 
==The domestic life of rabbits==
Humans' relationship with the European or ‘true’ rabbit was first recorded by the [[Phoenicians]] before 1,000 BC, when they termed the [[Iberian Peninsula]] '''i-shfaním''' (literally, "the land of the [[hyraxes]]"). This phrase is pronounced absolutely identically in [[modern Hebrew|Hebrew language]], '''i''' (אי) meaning "island" and '''shafan''' (שפן) meaning "hyrax", '''shfaním''' (שפנים) being the plural form. Phoenicians called the local rabbits "hyraxes" because hyraxes resemble rabbits in some way, and probably were more common than rabbits at that time in their native [[Levant]]. Hyraxes, like rabbits, are not rodents. The [[Romans]] converted the phrase '''i-shfaním''' to its [[Latin language|Latin]] form, '''Hispania''', and hence the modern word "[[Spain]]".
 
The [[European Rabbit]] (''[[Oryctolagus cuniculus]]'') is the only species of rabbit to be [[domestication|domesticated]]. All pet breeds of rabbits - such as dwarf lops, angoras, etc. - are of this species. However, rabbits and people interact in many different ways beyond domestication. Rabbits are an example of an [[animal]] which is treated as [[food]], [[pet]] and pest by the same culture.
 
When used for food, rabbits are both hunted and raised for [[meat]]. [[trapping|Snare]]s or [[gun]]s along with [[dog]]s are usually employed when catching wild rabbits for food. In many areas rabbits are also raised for meat, a practice called [[cuniculture]]. Rabbit [[pelt]]s are sometimes used as part of accessories, such as [[scarf|scarves]] or [[hat]]s. Rabbits are also very good producers of [[manure]]; their [[urine]], being high in [[nitrogen]], makes [[lemon tree]]s very productive. Their [[milk]] may also be of great [[medicine|medicinal]] (see links below) or [[nutrition|nutritional]] benefit due to its high [[protein]] content.
 
There are a number of health issues associated with the use of rabbits for meat, one of which is [[Tularemia]] or Rabbit Fever. Another is so-called [[rabbit starvation]], due most likely to essential [[amino acid]] deficiencies in rabbit meat and synthesis limitations in human beings.<ref>[http://www.advance.uconn.edu/1997/970214/02149707.htm "Altered rabbit milk can help cure disease"] by David Pesci; [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/852647.stm "Rabbit milk saves babies"], BBC News, 28 July 2000; [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=20014704&dopt=Citation "Human acid alpha-glucosidase from rabbit milk has therapeutic effect in mice with glycogen storage disease type II"].</ref>
 
===Pets===
A healthy indoor pet rabbit can live 6-12 years. They enjoy throwing around toys and chewing on cardboard. In some instances, they can even become good friends with [[cat]]s and dogs. Though they are often caged in small areas, they can be free roaming pets similar to cats and dogs, often called 'house rabbits'. Large, inexpensive cages can be custom made from 'Idea-cubes', which can be found in many department stores.
 
Female pet rabbits may be spayed.  There are some health and behaviour benefits from the [[neutering]] of male rabbits. If left un-neutered, male rabbits may spray urine in order to mark territory. Most rabbits can be aggressive towards other rabbits unless an effort is made to bond the two over time, spaying/neutering both parties may help make this process successful. It is not a good idea to simply put two rabbits together in the same cage and assume that they will get along. Even normally docile rabbits can become violent when left with an unbonded partner.
 
Unlike cats, rabbits cannot be [[Onychectomy|declawed]].  Lacking pads on the bottoms of their feet, rabbits require their claws for balance, and declawing a rabbit will render it unable to stand, permanently crippling it. 
 
Provided they are well cared for, rabbits can make friendly and playful pets. They are widely kept throughout the world, both indoors and out. Rabbits kept indoors are typically healthier and more social than rabbits kept outdoors. Housed indoors and provided with adequate damage-proofing (especially of electrical cables and house plants that may be toxic), rabbits are relatively safe from predators, parasites, disease, and temperature extremes. Rabbits kept outdoors must be provided with shelter, this shelter may be heated in winter (but many rabbits can be kept outside with extra bedding even into temperatures below freezing), but must be shaded in summer. Domesticated rabbits are most comfortable in temperatures between 10 to 21 degrees Celsius (50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and cannot endure temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) without assistance such as fans, frozen water bottles, and deep shade. Veterinarians specializing in rabbits recommend a diet consisting of clean water, a small amount of commercial pellets and unlimited grass hay daily.  Other vegetables (up to 2 cups per 5 pounds of body weight) may be fed such as: romaine [[lettuce]] (not iceberg), [[parsley]], [[cilantro]], [[dandelion]], and [[basil]].  [[Carrot]]s and [[fruit]]s should be used sparingly.  As commercial feeds are balanced to provide all of the daily nutrients that a rabbit needs, fresh vegetables are not needed daily.  They should be fed sparingly and as a treat.
 
Domestic rabbits should be checked daily as infections and illnesses can occur very quickly. Teeth should not be too long because if they are the rabbit cannot eat. Do not attempt to grind or clip a rabbit's teeth; one is advised to seek a [[veterinarian]]. A rabbit's teeth can grow up to five inches a year, but must be worn down to maintain a healthy bite.  Rabbits will wear down their teeth best if given a harder commercial pellet to chew. A rabbit's [[vibrissae|whiskers]] are a major sensory organ and should never be clipped.
 
The eyes should be clean with no crusts evident. Ears also should be clean along with any other part of the rabbit. They can also be put to sleep on their backs by making sure the head is lower than the body.  Safe handling of rabbits may be taught by rabbit breeders and specialists in your area.  In the United States, the [[American Rabbit Breeders Association]] is a valuable resource for both pet and commercial breeders. In Britain, the [[British Rabbit Council]] contains valuable information as well.
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}

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