Animalscaretips
European wild rabbits were introduced into Australia in 1859 so they could be hunted for sport. Within 50 years rabbits had spread across almost the whole of Australia. Rabbits have had a devastating effect on Australia's environment, and people have tried different ways to reduce their numbers.
- What caused the rabbit plague?
- How did the European rabbit become invasive?
- When did the rabbit plague start?
- Where did rabbits originally come from?
- What damage did rabbits do to the environment?
- Who brought rabbits to England?
- Why is the European rabbit endangered?
- Why are there no rabbits in Australia?
- What species do European rabbits affect?
- What would happen if rabbits went extinct?
- What were rabbits used for in the past?
- Why did rabbits thrive in Australia?
- What is the most logical explanation for rabbits increased numbers?
- Why is a rabbit called a bunny?
- What is the purpose of rabbits today?
What caused the rabbit plague?
severe viral disease of rabbits that is caused by a poxvirus (Leporipoxvirus myxoma) and transmitted by mosquitoes, biting flies, and direct contact; it has been used in the biological control of rabbits especially in Australia. process of too many animals feeding on one area of pasture or grassland.
How did the European rabbit become invasive?
invasive species
European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which originally inhabited southern Europe and North Africa, were deliberately introduced into Australia in 1827 to serve as a familiar elements for settlers in a new land, and the rabbits multiplied significantly.
When did the rabbit plague start?
Introduced pests
They cause considerable damage to the natural environment and to primary production. Rabbits were introduced to Australia in the 1800s by European settlers. Free from diseases and facing relatively few predators in a modified environment, the wild populations grew rapidly.
Where did rabbits originally come from?
The original rabbits came from the southern European mainland. They evolved millions of years ago in the Iberian peninsula. Phoenician merchants used to refer to this part of the world as “I-sephan-im” which means Land of the Rabbits. The word was translated as “Hispana”, or Espana - i.e., Spain.
What damage did rabbits do to the environment?
Feral rabbits compete with native wildlife, damage vegetation and degrade the land. They ringbark trees and shrubs, and prevent regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings. Their impact often increases during drought and immediately after a fire, when food is scarce and they eat whatever they can.
Who brought rabbits to England?
Rabbits were introduced by the Normans and “bagged foxes” were frequently imported when numbers ran low during the 18th and 19th centuries, although we have no data to suggest this was common in Norman times.
Why is the European rabbit endangered?
The main cause of decline is disease which has killed a large number of them. European rabbits are also threatened by human activities such as expansion of roads and railways.
Why are there no rabbits in Australia?
Effects on Australia's ecology
They are suspected of being the most significant known factor in species loss in Australia. Rabbits are believed to have had an immense impact on the abundance of natural resource availability, primarily concerning overgrazing.
What species do European rabbits affect?
Populations in the billions have been documented in Australia where the European rabbit has become established and threatens many agricultural animals such as goats and sheep by removing available food sources.
What would happen if rabbits went extinct?
The foxes, hawks, and owls would have less to eat without the rabbits. As a result, fewer foxes, hawks, and owls would live in the ecosystem because there would be less food for them. The rabbit example shows that to protect an ecosystem, every part must be protected, including both the prey and the prediators.
What were rabbits used for in the past?
Rabbits were first used for their food and fur by the Romans, and have been kept as pets in Western nations since the 19th century.
Why did rabbits thrive in Australia?
In 1859 European wild rabbits were introduced into Australia so they could be hunted for sport. ... The proliferation of rabbits was the fastest of an introduced mammal anywhere in the world. Australia is home to at least 150 million feral rabbits, which continue to have a huge impact on our environment.
What is the most logical explanation for rabbits increased numbers?
What is the most logical explanation for their increased numbers? Rabbits have a high death rate. There are few effective predators.
Why is a rabbit called a bunny?
The word bunny itself could be a derivative of the Scottish word bun (rabbit, squirrel, tail of a hare) or from the French word bon (good). Gradually, the term bunny expanded to describe not just young female humans, but also young and/or small animals. Nowadays, it generally refers to a baby rabbit.
What is the purpose of rabbits today?
Today, they are raised as pets, for meat, pelts and wool, and for medical research. Whatever their purposes, all rabbits produce a high-powered, relatively weed-seed-free manure that can be used to enrich garden plots and raise earthworms, which also do their part to improve garden soil.
