Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Coinín
Are rabbits native to Ireland? 
No. Rabbits were introduced by the Normans for food. The first recorded warren was on Lambay Island in 1191.
Where do rabbits live?
Rabbits are found throughout Ireland in a variety of habitats, from coasts to uplands. They likes areas of short grass with patches of denser cover. (Woodland edges, field edges, etc.)
What is a warren?
A warren is a large system of rabbit burrows, containing many rabbits. In Norman times a warren was a fenced enclosure where rabbits were kept.
Do rabbits live in groups?
Rabbits are very social animals and many extended families may live together in a large warren. The dominant males get to mate the females, and the dominant females get to choose the best burrows. At some sites, there may only be a pair of rabbits.
When do rabbits breed?
Rabbits can breed at any time, but most births are in spring and summer, especially in April, May and June. A doe can have up to seven litters in each year, and each litter may have 3 – 7 young. Some of the earlier born rabbits will be able to breed before the year is out, so rabbit populations can increase quickly if conditions are good.
Baby Rabbits
The doe gives birth in a special short burrow called a nest-stop, that is usually away from the main warren. She lines the nest with fur from her own belly. The babies are blind and hairless and are called kittens. The mother will only visit her kittens once a day to feed them. After about 18 days, the kittens will venture above ground, and by 24 days they are weaned.
How far do rabbits wander?
The home range of a rabbit tends to be small. A rabbit is rarely found more than 400 m from the safety of its warren.
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits eat mainly grass, but will nibble other plants as well. They may be pests on farms, eating vegetable and cereal crops, or damaging tree seedlings.
Ugh – Say that again!
Rabbits eat their food twice to extract all the nutrients. Special soft droppings are re-eaten, re-digested, and then passed out as the normal hard droppings that can be seen all round a warren.
Do rabbits prefer the day or the night?
Rabbits are mainly nocturnal, although they can be seen feeding at dawn and dusk. They may be active by day if there are few predators in the area.
Are rabbits protected?
No. Rabbits are considered to be pests and may be shot throughout the year.
How long do rabbits live?
Few rabbits survive beyond 5 years of age. The vast majority die before they are a year old.
What kills rabbits?
Rabbits are preyed on by foxes, stoats, badgers, mink, and by domestic pets (cats and dogs) and human hunters. Many die of viruses, such as myxamatosis, lack of food in autumn, and bad weather in winter.
Myxamatosis
This is a virus that is carried by rabbit fleas and only affects rabbits. It was released into Ireland in the 1950s to control the numbers of rabbits. Early strains of myxamatosis killed 99% of affected rabbits, but since then, rabbit populations have developed some immunity and the virus has lessened in intensity.