Multiply by 0.0338
*Note that, unless specified to the contrary, the use of ton in this text refers to the metric ton (1,000 kg or 2200 lb)
1
Introduction
Rabbit production is developing into a significant agricultural enterprise in the United States (Fig. 1.1). It is also relatively important in several European countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy, where rabbit is regarded as a gourmet meat, and is expanding is several other countries around the world. In China, the Angora rabbit is raised for its wool which is exported to other countries for production of high quality luxury garments. Rabbit pelts are used in making fur coats and toys. In addition to being raised commercially for meat, wool, and fur, rabbits are also produced in large numbers for laboratory use. They are particularly useful in certain types of medical research. Many people in the United States raise rabbits for show or exhibition purposes and enjoy the challenge of breeding animals that possess traits that best exemplify the standards of a particular breed. Others keep rabbits simply as pets. Whatever one’s motivation for keeping rabbits, information on nutrition, diseases, breeding, and management is useful for attaining an end product of healthy, well-nourished, productive animals.
Fig. 1.1. A productive doe and her litter. Because of their high reproductive capacity and high growth rate, rabbits are among the most productive of domestic livestock. (Courtesy of P.R. Cheeke)
History, Taxonomy, and Domestication of the Rabbit
The origin and evolution of rabbits is difficult to trace, because rabbit bones are small and fragile and often are destroyed or rearranged by predators. Fossil records trace the order Lagomorpha back about 45 million years to the late Eocene period. The leporids (rabbits and hares) appear to have originated in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and southern France.
The modern lagomorphs consist of two families (Leporidae and Ochotonidae) with 11 genera (Table 1.1). They range from the highly successful hares and rabbits of the Lepus, Oryctolagus, and Sylvilagus genera to several endangered genera and species. The Bunolagus genus, with one species, the riverine rabbit, is restricted to Karoo floodplain vegetation. Other rare and endangered lagomorphs include the Sumatran hare (Nesolagus netscheri) in Indonesia, the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) in Japan, and the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) in Mexico. Further information on rabbit taxonomy can be obtained from the internet at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leporidae.
Table 1.1. The modern lagomorphs.
| No. of Modern Species | Present Natural Geographical Distribution | Examples | |
| Family Leporidae | |||
| Genera: | |||
| Sylvilagus | 17 | North America, South America | Brush rabbit, swamp rabbit, cottontail |
| Oryctolagus | 1 | Europe, North Africa | European wild rabbit, all domestic species |
| Caprolagus | 1 | India | Hispid rabbit (endangered) |
| Bunolagus | 1 | South Africa | Riverine rabbit |
| Poelagus | 1 | Central Africa | Bunyoro rabbit |
| Pronolagus | 2 | Southern Africa | Red rock hare (actually a rabbit) |
| Pentalagus | 1 | Amami Islands (Japan) | Amami rabbit (endangered) |
| Romerolagus | 1 | Mexico | Volcano rabbit (endangered) |
| Nesolagus | 1 | Sumatra (Indonesia) | Sumatran rabbit, Annamite rabbit |
| Brachylagus | 1 | North America | Pygmy rabbit |
| Lepus | 32 | Eurasia, Africa, North America | Jack rabbit, snowshoe hare, European hare |
| Family Ochotonidae | |||
| Genus: |
