You may find a rabbit close to your home you wish to rescue and keep. Also, it might be illegal in your locality to keep wild rabbits as pets and dangerous to your health as well. Therefore, it makes sense that you would desire to know how to tell if a rabbit is domestic or wild. What are the differences between a pet rabbit vs a wild one?
Domesticated rabbits can live a long and satisfying life as a companion in our home. In contrast, wild rabbits are capable of life outdoors. Hence, recognizing a rabbit can determine whether it will live or die or its quality of life. Finding a rabbit outdoors does not make it wild, and keeping a wild one at home does not make it a domestic rabbit suitable as a pet.
This article will answer the following questions:
- How can I tell if a rabbit is wild or domestic?
- Are domestic rabbits related to wild rabbits?
- Can domestic and wild rabbits breed?
- Can domestic and wild rabbits live together?
- What are the differences between a wild rabbit and a domestic one?
How Can I Tell If A Rabbit Is Wild or Domestic?
To the untrained eye, wild and domestic rabbits look precisely the same. It may seem that all rabbits have big ears, protruding teeth, and fluffy tails. Indeed, a rabbit is not a wild one simply because it is found outdoors; it could be lost or abandoned. You can quickly tell whether a rabbit is wild or domestic by examining its physical features and behavior.
Basically, there is little variety in the features of wild rabbits. Most of them look similar. You can identify them with their greyish brown fur that enables them to blend into their environment. Their skinny legs and large paws allow them to move swiftly as they escape predators. Another common feature of wild rabbits is their white underside and cute little tails like cotton swabs.
On the other hand, domestic rabbits can hardly be identified by particular physical features. They come in a broad range of colors, sizes, shapes, coat textures. This is because there are many species of domestic rabbits, each with its particular features.
Still, domestic rabbits generally are larger in size, with their furs longer (Lion head and angora rabbits) more attractive. They come with many fancy fur colors like black and brown, orange, white, etc., and fur patterns like spots and lines. On the other hand, wild rabbits have more unvarying fur.
In addition, when you see a rabbit with floppy ears, it is definitely a domestic rabbit. Wild rabbits do not have such lop ears; their ears are always upright and slimmer. Wild rabbits usually have long and lean faces, whereas domestic ones have chubby cheeks with large round eyes.
Are Domestic Rabbits Related To Wild Rabbits?
All rabbits, whether domestic or wild, are related. They are both small mammals of the same family (Leporidae) and order (Lagomorpha). More or less, that is the extent of their relation.
It is safe to say that the differences between a pet rabbit vs a wild one go beyond their physical appearance. All the 305 breeds of domestic rabbits in the world are descendants of the European rabbit species. Wild rabbits, including the seven types of cottontail, however, are a different species (Sylvilagus)
Though they descended from European rabbit species, domestic rabbits are products of selective breeding. For decades, domesticated rabbits have been carefully bred to ensure qualities suitable for the family environment.
Consequently, they have particular features such as fur length, texture, color, ear length, ear lop, or erect. Domestic rabbits range in sizes from dwarf to giant. Wild rabbits are typically small in size.
Can Domestic And Wild Rabbits Breed?
The answer depends on the location of both types of rabbits. In North America, the species of wild rabbits available is the cottontail, and they all belong to the genus Sylvilagus. While all domestic rabbits are descendants of the European wild rabbits(Oryctolagus cuniculus). So, domestic and wild rabbits found in this region cannot breed together. They are not the same species and genera. Consequently, they are not genetically compatible.
Domestic rabbits have 22 pairs of chromosomes, while cottontails have 21. While there are always exceptions, the most likely outcome if they mate is that no viable offspring will be produced. In other words, if they attempt to mate, there will be no pregnancy.
Interestingly, in Europe, wild and domestic rabbits can mate and breed successfully. This is so because they belong to the same species (Oryctolagus cuniculus). As a result, they are both genetically compatible.
Can Wild And Domestic Rabbits Live Together?
If you already have a pet bunny, you may be tempted to get a cute wild rabbit to keep your pet company. There are a few reasons why that may not be a good idea.
Firstly, you need to consider the health of not only your rabbit but yours as well. A wild rabbit may be host to infectious diseases that your pet rabbit’s immunity may not be able to cope with. You may also contact some infections (for example, rabies, tularemia, etc.) from your interactions with the wild rabbit. No wonder you are expected to call wildlife rehabilitation when you see an injured wild rabbit instead of nursing it by yourself.
Secondly, you cannot domesticate a wild rabbit. In fact, wild rabbits do not cope well with living indoors inside hutches. It is distressing to them. As prey animals, the fear of humans is stressful for them too and could even be fatal. Even where a wild rabbit does not die of fear, it cannot bond with its new owner.
Thirdly, while your pet rabbit might interact with the wild rabbit (after all, they are both rabbits), they may find it difficult to bond together. Their basic instinct is different. For example, because they are natural foragers, wild rabbits are possessive about their food. This might be a problem in a domestic setting.
What Are The Differences Between A Wild Rabbit And A Domestic Rabbit?
When you know what to look for, the differences between a pet rabbit vs a wild one becomes visible. The differences in their appearance and behavior are recognizable.
Lifespan
Usually, a wild rabbit can live for about 1-2 years. Their short lifespan is due to exposure to harsh weather conditions and predators. Whereas domestic rabbits can live up to 10 years with proper care from their owners. However, a domestic rabbit that is living in the wild may only survive for half its lifespan.
Ability to survive
Domestic rabbits are so used to care by their owners that they find it challenging to survive outdoors. They do not fare well when they face dangers such as exposure to severe temperatures, predators, and even poisonous plants.
Nutrition
Domestic and wild rabbits are different in the kind of food they eat. Wild rabbits love to eat grasses and wildflowers and even plants they find in gardens. Domestic ones, however, have particular nutritional needs. Their owners feed them with hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and clean water for their excellent health.
Behavior
As prey animals, all wild or domestic rabbits get afraid fast when there is a loud sound or scent predators, including humans. For them, it is a means of survival. However, domestic rabbits learn to bond with humans and lose some of their fears with care and patience.
Whereas wild rabbits are generally afraid of humans and run away, it is almost impossible to tame them. It may even die of a heart attack out of the fright from being held by humans. For this reason, knowing the differences between a pet rabbit vs a wild one is a necessity.
A team of vet doctors researched why domestic rabbits are not as fearful as wild ones. They discovered that the part of the brain of rabbits responsible for processing fear is tinier in domestic rabbits than in wild ones. The ability of domestic rabbits to process information is impaired, which may be why they are slower and more sluggish.
Additionally, wild rabbits love to dig deep into the ground to make BURROWS where they can sleep and care for their young. With several entrances to protect them from predators and inclement weather. On the other hand, House rabbits often like to dig and seek comfort and safety in dark places, such as cardboard boxes with at least two entrances and exits.
Conclusions
Whether domestic or wild, it is vital to allow these rabbits to live a natural and satisfying life in their respective worlds. It is inhumane to release a domestic rabbit to the wild or keep a wild one in captivity. Recognizing the difference between a pet rabbit and a wild one is also a protection for rabbit lovers from diseases peculiar to wild rabbits.