After celebrating cats last month, in September we are celebrating rabbits as our special guests on PawzNRead. While most of us find long eared, cute looking rabbits irresistible, there is much more than the looks that make them loving pets. So, here are 10 facts about rabbits who make great pets too.
Starting with physiology
Apparently, a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing. As rabbits chew on grass, wildflowers and vegetable their teeth wear out instead of growing long.
Have you ever noticed that a rabbit’s eyes? They are located on the sides of the head. In the wild this helps them to get a wider view of all sides to keep an eye on predators.
Over to those irresistibly cute ears which rabbits can turn by 180 degrees to carefully listen to every sound, even the approach of predators.
Like cats rabbits also self-groom themselves. But unlike cats they don’t throw up hairballs. Instead, they eat a lot of roughage to push hairballs out through their digestive tracts.
Given the right care and environment, a rabbit can live up to at least 12 years and sometimes much longer.
Over to fun facts
When rabbits are happy, they do what’s called a binky. Basically, giant leaps while kicking and twisting in mid-air quite looking like gymnasts performing acrobatic.
Rabbits are incredibly social creatures and like to stay in groups. Experts say keeping rabbits in pairs can improve their quality of life. Of course, bear in mind that they are great at reproducing.
There is a similarity between cats and rabbits. Both purr when they feel contented.
Never try chasing a rabbit. They are extremely fast and move at a speed of roughly 30mph.
Rabbits drink a lot of water. According to Medivet, a rabbit weighing two pounds will drink as much water in a day as a dog weighing 10 pounds.
Somethings to know if you’re considering adopting a rabbit
Rabbits can jump high [almost three-four feet]. So, if you’ve a rabbit at home or planning to adopt one ensure your fences are high enough.
They need plenty of exercise and better suited to spaces where they can run around, jump, stretch and even hide and dig safely.
Unlike dogs or even cats rabbits aren’t very expressive. Their expressions tend to be subtle so its important to keep an eye out for any change in behaviour and symptoms for common infections.
