Rabbits are small mammals belonging to the family Leporidae, known for their powerful hind legs, long ears, and social behavior. Unlike many species with a single term, rabbits are associated with several accepted collective nouns. The specific term used often depends on the context, such as whether the animals are wild or domesticated, or where they are located.
The Primary Collective Nouns
The most widely accepted and scientifically used term for a group of wild rabbits is a colony. This word reflects the complex social structure of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which is the species most commonly found in large groups. A colony consists of multiple families sharing resources and living together in an extensive, organized underground system of tunnels. Ecological studies frequently employ the term “colony.”
Another traditional collective noun is herd, which is more often applied to domesticated rabbits. This term is favored in agricultural settings, such as rabbit farming, or by organizations like the American Rabbit Breeders Association when referring to groups kept for meat, fur, or breeding purposes. The term drove is also listed as a collective noun for rabbits, often appearing alongside “herd” in older texts.
Group Names Related to Location and Habitat
Confusion arises because the name for the rabbits’ dwelling is commonly used interchangeably with the name for the group itself. The most prominent example is the warren, which refers to the complex network of interconnected burrows that European rabbits dig underground. A warren can be an elaborate structure with multiple entrances, resting chambers, and escape routes that protect the rabbits from predators.
While the warren is the physical habitat, the group of rabbits living within it is frequently called a warren of rabbits. This colloquial usage highlights the strong connection between the animals and their permanent underground home. A burrow is a more general term for any hole dug by an animal for shelter, but the European rabbit’s social nature means these individual tunnels are linked into the larger warren structure.
Names for Groups of Young Rabbits
The terminology changes when describing only young rabbits, who are referred to as kits or kittens. A group of young born at the same time to the same mother is called a litter. A female rabbit, or doe, can give birth to multiple litters each year due to the species’ high reproductive rate.
The term nest is used specifically for a group of newborn kits. This refers to the small, hidden area where the mother places her young, often lined with grass and fur plucked from her own body. A nest is a localized, temporary grouping of dependent young before they leave the burrow to join the larger adult population.