Wild rabbits are adaptable mammals found globally. Their widespread presence is due to their ability to thrive in various conditions and their specialized behaviors for shelter and survival. They have developed unique ways to inhabit different landscapes.
Variety of Living Spaces
Wild rabbits inhabit a wide array of natural environments. They are ground dwellers found in settings from deserts and tropical forests to wetlands and tundra. The European rabbit, for instance, often occupies open landscapes such as fields, parks, and gardens. These areas provide ample vegetation for grazing and sufficient cover from predators.
Rabbits are abundant in grasslands where the soil facilitates extensive, well-drained burrows. Heath and dune landscapes with sandy soils also offer ideal conditions for their subterranean homes. Beyond open fields, rabbits can be found in forests with light structures and numerous hiding places, as well as agricultural areas where they feed on crops and wild herbs. Some species have adapted to urban habitats, utilizing bushes and hedges in parks and gardens for shelter while feeding on available greenery.
Underground Homes
Many wild rabbit species construct intricate underground dwellings, primarily burrows and warrens, for shelter. These subterranean networks provide protection from predators, offer refuge from harsh weather conditions, and create safe spaces for raising their young. A warren is a complex system of interconnected burrows, often featuring multiple chambers for specific purposes like nesting, sleeping, or latrines.
These warrens have several entrances and exits, allowing rabbits quick escape routes in danger. The European rabbit, for example, constructs extensive burrow systems, with tunnels extending one to two meters in length and reaching depths of up to three meters underground.
Rabbits are equipped for this construction, possessing sturdy nails and powerful front paws for efficient digging. They scrape and move earth, pushing soil out of the burrow entrance with their hind legs. They favor soft, easily diggable soil, such as sandy or loamy types, for excavations. When digging on flat ground, they often curve tunnels downward and then upward to prevent water accumulation in nesting areas. While many rabbit species, like the European rabbit, are burrowers, others, such as some cottontail rabbits and hares, create simpler nests above ground in shallow depressions.
Global Distribution
The geographic distribution of wild rabbits spans nearly every continent, primarily due to human introductions. The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is native to the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing Spain and Portugal, southern France, and parts of northwestern Africa. This species has become one of the most widespread mammals globally, successfully introduced to every continent except Antarctica.
Feral populations, originating from both wild and domesticated rabbits, are found across numerous islands and continents, including Australia and New Zealand. For instance, wild rabbits were introduced to Australia in 1859 for hunting purposes, rapidly spreading across the continent. While the European rabbit accounts for much of the global spread, over 50 other rabbit species exist, many with more limited native ranges. Genera like Sylvilagus, the cottontail rabbits, are found in the Americas, while species like the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) are restricted to small island habitats.