Not that long ago, in my facebook feed I kept seeing a picture pop up containing “facts” about rabbits. One of the facts was that rabbits can be pregnant with two pregnancies at once. Every time I saw it I corrected that falsehood. It got me thinking though, about some of the “facts” that people believe about rabbits.
Rabbits can be pregnant with two separate pregnancies.
False. Really not sure where this started from, rabbit people have tried suss out the origins of it. The best we can come up with is that rabbits can reabsorb kits during times of stress. Sometimes when they do that, they will abort OR have their litter. In that process they might have some live kits, some dead kits and some kits that look too small, like they would be a separate litter. It all depends in how far along the litter was. This doesn’t mean two separate pregnancies, it just means re-absorption and/or live kits (hopefully)!
Breeding Rabbits is Easy
To be honest, it can be. It can be a easy as putting a buck next to a doe and they somehow manage to do the deed through the wire.
It can also be VERY difficult. A young buck can be scared off breeding by an aggressive female. Summer heat can make him temporarily sterile. A doe could decide she doesn’t like the buck you have. You can end up with sterile rabbits. Small litters, poorly made nests, dead litters or a doe that won’t feed her kits.
Rabbits are Great Starter Pets
This is a hard one. It is so subjective right?
I’ve sold some bunnies to youngsters (with parental supervision) that it was the best thing I could have done for the rabbit. Becoming an instantaneous member of the family, spoiled rotten, but given limits. Exactly what a bunny needs. Keeps them secure.
I sometimes get people who want a bunny because they want to test their child’s resolve to care for an animal. They will often ask if I will take the bunny back “if it doesn’t work out so well”. I will always take back one of my own. 🙂 I even take in some that aren’t my own.
Rabbits, I often tell people, are like toddlers. They need to learn their limits, be fed appropriate food (Not just what they happen to want), and earn their freedom (if you are wanting a house bunny). They need someone to say no, and to be firm, and the guide their actions.
Bunnies are up during the day OR just up at night
People will often think that bunnies up either up during the day or only active at night. Neither are correct. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dusk and dawn.
This means that you don’t have to be home to entertain your bunny all day, or be up at night for them either. They will be most active just as the day is beginning. So if you let your bunny out as you are getting ready for your day.. or give them a snack or a toy to play with. Then give your bunny a safe place to stay while you are out for the day. When you return you can then let your bunny have some free time, or an evening meal as the day is drawing to a close. Again, giving bunny a safe overnight place to stay.
Letter I Link Up
Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.
- Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
- Christine @ Life’s Special Necessities
- Kimberly @ Vintage Blue Suitcase
- Dawn @ Schoolin’ Swag
- Wendy @ Life On Chickadee Lane
- Yvonne @ The Life We Build
- Jennifer @ A Peace Of Mind
- Kristen @ A Mom’s Quest To Teach
- Kirsten @ DoodleMom Homeschool
Very interesting to read and see some thing you think are necessary for us to understand about bunnies. Thank you for educating me more this evening.
I dislike the misconceptions people have. The whole bunnies having two litters at once is just so stupid and annoys me too no end! 🙂
Rabbit have an ability to reabsorb the soft fetal tissue. A few things can then happen to the remainder of the mummified kits. They could actually be delivered at a future date. Should the doe again become pregnant she can actually deliver the deceased kits with a live litter. Finally they could be retained forever.
yes, that is so true.