Rabbits are adorable little animals that live in many climates. Their coats vary in length, thickness, and color. The thicker their coat, the warmer they are and better equipped for the cold. During the winter, these little animals go through many changes to prepare for winter. But where do rabbits go in winter? Do they travel far?
Keep reading to find out how rabbits survive cold, brutal and harsh winters.
Where do rabbits live?
©Victoria Paladiy/Shutterstock.com
Rabbits, also known as rabbits, live just about anywhere. You can find them in swamps, swamps, grasslands, mountains, grasslands, and deserts. It may be confusing, but rabbits are rabbits. There are no differences between the two words. They are used interchangeably. Throughout this article we will use both, but it is the same animal.
Wild rabbits were native to Europe and Africa, but they thrive on trade and create communities all over the world. There are about 29 species in total. Some rabbits are also domesticated and live indoors. With proper feeding, care and space, domestic rabbits can live up to 10 years.
Common Types of Rabbits
Rabbits are easy to confuse because they look so similar. However, there are common rabbit species with unique traits. Below are 4 common types of rabbits and interesting facts about each.
1. The Eastern Rabbit
Eastern rabbits are very common everywhere North Americaa. You can find them in almost every state in the south-central United States. Eastern rabbits are also native to southern Canada, northern South America, and eastern Mexico. They often live in large grasslands and open fields with lots of them grass and plants. These rabbits stay in one place all their lives as long as the weather permits. However, they migrate short distances if there is not enough food. In winter, they travel longer distances in search of food and in search of shelter.
2. Volcano Bunny
©Arlette Cruz/Shutterstock.com
Volcano bunnies are adorable. They are small rabbits found in the mountain ranges of Mexico. Unfortunately, they are an endangered species. These little rabbits live up to 9 years in the wild and weigh up to 1.3 pounds. After the dwarf rabbit, it is the second smallest rabbit in the world. This cute bunny has short, rounded ears and is sometimes mistaken for a large mouse. Volcano rabbits live in groups of 2-5 other animals in underground nests. It is estimated that there are less than 7,000 volcano rabbits left in the world.
3. Swamp Rabbit
©Lawrence Jefferson/Shutterstock.com
The swamp rabbit is the largest of the cottontail rabbit species. This rabbit lives mainly in the southern United States. As their name suggests, they live in wetlands and swamps. Swamp rabbits can swim. They are very common in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Unfortunately, when it snows in these states, they lose their snow cover and their main food sources, which leads to a decrease in population. While swamp rabbits are the largest of the rabbit species, they have small ears and cinnamon brown coloring around their eyes.
4. Flemish Giant Rabbit
©Veroja/Shutterstock.com
Have you ever seen a Flemish Giant Rabbit in person? They are the largest species of domestic rabbits in the world. These bunnies have been known to reach 22 pounds. They were first bred in Flanders as early as the 16th century. They are the descendants of many ancient species of rabbits, some of which are extinct. Flemish Giants require special crates or cages and lots of space. For example, in the United States, rabbits over 12 pounds need at least 5 square feet of floor space. Flemish Giant Rabbit owners should give their pets plenty of food, but the diet is similar to that of other domestic rabbits, which require fresh vegetables and fruits.
How do rabbits survive the winter?
Some rabbit species are native to cold regions of the world, so how do they survive harsh winters with freezing temperatures and snow? Rabbits survive the winter by developing thicker, warmer fur. In late fall, they stop shedding, which helps thicken their coat. Unlike other animals, they do not hibernate during the winter. Instead, they forage for food and seek shelter away from predators. Since most wild rabbit species have brown coats, they are easy prey for large predators during snowfall.
What do rabbits eat in winter?
Wild rabbits eat a lot of fiber. During summer and spring, they consume fresh grass, weeds and other light plants. However, as the snow falls and the temperature drops, their food sources dwindle. Instead of eating grass and other green vegetables, they forage for bark, pine needles, and other wood-based food sources. They also eat cecotropes, that is, the foods they partially digest before consuming them again. If you want to help the rabbits through the winter, don’t feed them directly. This will get them used to humans and they won’t forage for food. Instead, keep a few plants outside that can thrive in winter like dandelions or other cold greens.
0 Comments