How does the European rabbit affect humans?
Myxomatosis is a distressing disease, affecting the eyes and brain. The drastic reduction in rabbit numbers also caused a decline in the number of foxes, buzzards and other predators as well as affecting the growth of vegetation; unwanted plants such as gorse, bramble and coarse grasses were encouraged to grow.
What is the word oryctolagus?
: a genus comprising the common European rabbits.
What is true about the European rabbits?
European rabbits are small mammals that belong to the family Leporidae, which also includes hares. Rabbits have long hind legs and short front legs. They have long ears and large slightly protruding eyes placed to the sides of the head that give them panoramic vision to help detect predators.
What is the European rabbit scientific name?
Oryctolagus cuniculus
European rabbit/Scientific names
The European rabbit or common rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a species of rabbit native to southwestern Europe (Spain and Portugal) and northwest Africa (Morocco and Algeria).
How do European rabbits affect the environment?
Their numbers became so large that they destroyed crops and land, leading to soil erosion. They also negatively affected agriculture and plants by overgrazing. Not only did the rabbits wreak havoc on Australian croplands, they contributed to the decline of native plant and animal species.
Why are rabbits important to the environment?
In their natural habitats, rabbits serve the two main functions of keeping plant life in check and providing food for carnivorous predators. Ultimately this encourages more biodiversity among the plants in the ecosystem. Rabbits also have nutrient dense urine and feces that can help revitalize soil and keep it healthy.
What is the definition of Cuniculus?
Medical Definition of cuniculus : the burrow of an itch mite in the skin.
What does oryctolagus mean in Latin?
Etymology: Oryctolagus derived from the Greek word ὀρύκτης | oryktes, meaning digger, and from the Greek word λαγώς | lagos, meaning hare. Cuniculus is the latin name for rabbit, which comes from Ancient Greek κύνικλος | kýniklos, probably of Iberian origin; original meaning “burrow”.
How can you tell a European Rabbit?
The European rabbit can be identified by long floppy ears, short tail, and long jumping gait. The adult coats are typically gray-brown, but range from sandy color to black or dark gray. The underside of the rabbits are completely white with all color variations.
What is the life cycle of a European Rabbit?
Average life span of European Rabbit is about 9 years. Only till a month or two at the most, the new born kittens stay under intensive mother care. Within that 9 year span it reaches reproductive maturity in 4-5months of age and continues breeding till 6 years of age.
What is the kingdom of oryctolagus Cuniculus?
Animal
European rabbit/Kingdom
Why is the European rabbit so successful?
Besides their lack of natural predators on the continent, their success is aided by quick breeding: They can birth more than four litters a year with as many as five kits (baby rabbits) each. conditions that surround and influence an organism or community.