| Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus - Family: Leporidae
 Rabbit - Oryctolagus cuniculus© Paul Keene (Avico Ltd)Perhaps the most likely wild animal to be seen on a country walk, the rabbit was probably introduced by the Normans in the early middle ages, when it was farmed for its fur and meat. Rabbits live socially and are often numerous enough to cause serious damage to crops. At the same time, they have acquired an important role as grazers of natural grassland. They are active by day as well as night, and can often be seen feeding on roadside verges. Few people will wish to encourage rabbits into their garden, but there is no denying the appeal of these animals nor their place in our culture. Their prolific breeding powers have provided a useful cliché and their warrens a now common surname: 'warreners' were much in demand when the rabbit was first brought to Britain as it was quite a long time before the animals adapted successfully to the new conditions. Rabbits are vegetarian but they are prey to a wide range of carnivores including foxes and buzzards. FoodMostly but not exclusively vegetation: rabbits select leaves from a variety of plants, including agricultural crops and grasses, bulbs and the bark of young trees in winter. They may occasionally supplement this diet with worms and snails! PlantsCow parsley, Dandelion PreySlugs and snails, Worms PredatorsBadger, Buzzard, Carrion crow, Fox, Little owl, Sparrowhawk, Stoat, Weasel |
