Rabbits belong to the order Lagomorpha, a group of small mammals distinct from rodents, and they are found across nearly every continent worldwide. The two most widespread genera are Oryctolagus and Sylvilagus, representing the European rabbit and the American cottontails, respectively. Their locations span from remote mountain forests to the most densely populated urban parks.
Global Geographic Distribution
The European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, originates solely from the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing modern-day Spain and Portugal, along with parts of southwestern France and northwest Africa. This species is arguably the most globally significant, having been successfully introduced to every continent except Antarctica.
The Americas host a diverse group of species, primarily belonging to the Sylvilagus genus, commonly known as cottontails. The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is the most common and widespread, with a range stretching from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States, extending all the way into Central and northern South America. Other distinct species, such as the Desert Cottontail and the Pygmy rabbit, occupy specific ranges in the western United States and Mexico.
The natural distribution of rabbits in Asia is far more restricted and includes several highly specialized, endangered species. For instance, the Sumatran striped rabbit is endemic to the montane forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, and the Annamite striped rabbit is found only in the Annamite Mountain Range along the border of Laos and Vietnam. In Africa, species like the Bunyoro rabbit are found in Central Africa, while the rockhares inhabit rocky areas in the southern parts of the continent.
Specific Environmental Habitats
Wild rabbits are ground-dwelling herbivores that rely on specific environmental structures to evade predators and survive. A requirement for dense escape cover dictates many of their habitat choices, which include thickets, brushy fields, and hedgerows. They are frequently found in open areas that border dense vegetation, such as meadows adjacent to forest edges or along the margins of grasslands.
The physical structures they inhabit vary significantly between species. The European rabbit is famous for constructing extensive, interconnected underground burrow systems known as warrens. These social colonies prefer soft, sandy soil that is easy to excavate and provides stable, dry conditions. In contrast, many New World cottontail species do not dig their own complex burrows, instead resting in surface nests called “forms” or utilizing existing natural cover.
Their habitats are exceptionally diverse, ranging from temperate forests and boreal woodlands to semi-arid scrublands and deserts. Certain species have adapted to highly specialized niches, such as the Marsh rabbit and Swamp rabbit of the southeastern United States, which are capable swimmers and inhabit wetlands.
Rabbits in Human Environments
Many rabbit species, particularly the European rabbit and the Eastern Cottontail, have successfully colonized areas heavily influenced by human activity. They thrive in suburban and urban settings where manicured lawns, gardens, and parks offer easily accessible food sources and protective landscaping. These landscapes provide a mosaic of open grazing areas interspersed with dense cover, such as shrubbery and storage sheds.
Rabbits are also common inhabitants of agricultural areas, frequently occupying farmlands, orchards, and cultivated fields. They are often considered agricultural pests because they consume crops and damage young trees, a behavior that has historically led to large-scale control efforts. Hedgerows and field margins on farms offer both food and linear corridors of protective cover, making these environments highly attractive.
A massive population of rabbits exists exclusively within domestic environments, found in homes around the world. All domestic breeds are descendants of the wild European rabbit, and their domestication began roughly 1,400 years ago. These animals, which include breeds ranging from the small Netherland Dwarf to the massive Flemish Giant, are kept as pets or livestock and rely entirely on human care. Domestic rabbits still retain many of the instincts of their wild counterparts, necessitating a home environment with space to run, explore, and access hiding places.