Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the order for hares, pikas, and rabbits?
What is the order for hares, pikas, and rabbits?
Lagomorpha
How many families of Lagomorphs are there?
How many families of Lagomorphs are there?
2 families
How many genera of Lagomorphs are there?
How many genera of Lagomorphs are there?
12 genera
How many species of Lagomorphs are there?
How many species of Lagomorphs are there?
What is the genus of pygmy rabbits?
What is the genus of pygmy rabbits?
What is the genus for hares and jack rabbits?
What is the genus for hares and jack rabbits?
What is the genus of European rabbits?
What is the genus of European rabbits?
What is the species of the European rabbit?
What is the species of the European rabbit?
What is the genus for cottontail rabbits?
What is the genus for cottontail rabbits?
What is the species of the Eastern Cottontail?
What is the species of the Eastern Cottontail?
What is the most common domestic rabbit?
What is the most common domestic rabbit?
What are the two families of the order Lagomorpha?
What are the two families of the order Lagomorpha?
What is the family name that includes jackrabbits, hares, and rabbits?
What is the family name that includes jackrabbits, hares, and rabbits?
What is the family name that includes pikas?
What is the family name that includes pikas?
What is the genus for pikas?
What is the genus for pikas?
What is the species name for the alpine pika?
What is the species name for the alpine pika?
What is the species name for the American pika?
What is the species name for the American pika?
What are pikas known to do?
What are pikas known to do?
Lagomorphs and rodents are closely related.
Lagomorphs and rodents are closely related.
What characteristic do hares have that no other species has?
What characteristic do hares have that no other species has?
What is the most dominating characteristic of the lagomorph?
What is the most dominating characteristic of the lagomorph?
Lagomorphs are distributed worldwide.
Lagomorphs are distributed worldwide.
What is the gestation period of the lagomorph?
What is the gestation period of the lagomorph?
How many kits will a doe have in a litter?
How many kits will a doe have in a litter?
What is the difference between rabbits and hares when they are born?
What is the difference between rabbits and hares when they are born?
How many times will dams feed the kits?
How many times will dams feed the kits?
Rabbit milk is high in fat and protein.
Rabbit milk is high in fat and protein.
What can be used as a substitute for rabbit's milk?
What can be used as a substitute for rabbit's milk?
What are the behavioral characteristics of the domestic rabbit?
What are the behavioral characteristics of the domestic rabbit?
Do domestic rabbits do well as single pets?
Do domestic rabbits do well as single pets?
What is the vital range for a domestic rabbit's temperature?
What is the vital range for a domestic rabbit's temperature?
What is the heart rate range for a domestic rabbit?
What is the heart rate range for a domestic rabbit?
What is the respiratory rate range for a domestic rabbit?
What is the respiratory rate range for a domestic rabbit?
What is the average weight range for female domestic rabbits?
What is the average weight range for female domestic rabbits?
What is the average weight range for male domestic rabbits?
What is the average weight range for male domestic rabbits?
What is the lifespan of larger breed domestic rabbits?
What is the lifespan of larger breed domestic rabbits?
What is the lifespan of smaller breed domestic rabbits?
What is the lifespan of smaller breed domestic rabbits?
At what age do domestic rabbits reach sexual maturity?
At what age do domestic rabbits reach sexual maturity?
What is the reproductive cycle of the domestic rabbit?
What is the reproductive cycle of the domestic rabbit?
How do you determine if the domestic rabbit is male or female?
How do you determine if the domestic rabbit is male or female?
What is the term for a male rabbit?
What is the term for a male rabbit?
What is the term for a female rabbit?
What is the term for a female rabbit?
What is the term for young rabbits?
What is the term for young rabbits?
What is the term for a group of rabbits?
What is the term for a group of rabbits?
What is the term for the birth of rabbits?
What is the term for the birth of rabbits?
Rabbits have very delicate, thin skin and very fine hair.
Rabbits have very delicate, thin skin and very fine hair.
Do rabbits have sweat glands?
Do rabbits have sweat glands?
Where are the scent glands located?
Where are the scent glands located?
What do rabbits use their scent glands for?
What do rabbits use their scent glands for?
What do does do with their dewlap 24 hours before giving birth?
What do does do with their dewlap 24 hours before giving birth?
Rabbits' soles are not covered in fur.
Rabbits' soles are not covered in fur.
Why are rabbits sensitive to you touching their faces and noses?
Why are rabbits sensitive to you touching their faces and noses?
What is the dental formula for lagomorphs?
What is the dental formula for lagomorphs?
Study Notes
Rabbits Classification and Anatomy
- Order Lagomorpha includes hares, pikas, and rabbits.
- Lagomorphs consist of 2 families:
- Leporidae: Includes hares, jackrabbits, and rabbits.
- Ochotonidae: Includes pikas.
- There are 12 genera and 81 species within Lagomorphs.
- Key genera include:
- Brachylagus: Pygmy rabbits.
- Lepus: Hares and jack rabbits.
- Oryctolagus: European rabbits.
- Species: Oryctolagus cuniculus (European Rabbit).
- Sylvilagus: Cottontail rabbits.
- Species: Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern Cottontail).
Reproductive Characteristics
- Typical gestation period for Lagomorphs is 30-32 days.
- Litters consist of 4-12 kits, depending on breed size.
- Hares are born precocious while rabbits are altrical (helpless).
- Does only feed kits once a day, and rabbit milk is rich in fat and protein.
- Kits are weaned typically between 4-6 weeks.
Behavioral and Social Traits
- Domestic rabbits are crepuscular, affectionate, playful, intelligent, and quiet.
- Better housed in pairs or trios for social interaction.
- Notable vital signs of domestic rabbits:
- Temperature: 101.3-104°F
- Heart Rate: 180-250 bpm
- Respiratory Rate: 30-60 bpm
- Lifespan ranges from 6-12 years depending on size.
Distinguishing Male and Female Rabbits
- Male: Buck
- Female: Doe
- Young rabbits are known as kits or kittens.
- Determine sex by applying pressure above genitalia:
- Vulva displays a slit-like appearance while penis shows a rounded protrusion.
Unique Anatomical Features
- Rabbits lack sweat glands, relying on other methods to regulate body temperature.
- Scent glands are located in the chin, anal, and inguinal areas for territorial marking.
- Does pluck fur from their dewlap to line nests prior to giving birth, known as kindling.
- Rabbits have delicate skin covered in fine hair and their soles are fur-covered.
Sensory Adaptations
- Tactile vibrissae (whiskers) located on their faces help navigate their environment and discern food.
- Lagomorphs possess a unique dental formula: I 2/1, C 0/0, P 3/2, M...
Miscellaneous Facts
- Pikas are known for their distinctive whistling behavior.
- Hares uniquely feature black hair at ear tips.
- Lagomorphs are distributed globally, adapting to various habitats.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the classification, anatomy, and reproductive traits of rabbits and other lagomorphs. This quiz covers various genera, species, and their unique characteristics. Perfect for animal biology enthusiasts!