FACT OR MYTH?
Rabbits ARE rodents.
MYTH! Rabbits ARE NOT rodents. In fact, they are in an order called Lagomorpha and it further branches out into two different genus, hares (Lepus) and rabbits (Pentalagus, Bunolagus, Nesolagus, Romerolagus, Brachylagus, Sylvilagus, Oryctolagus, Poelagus).
When rabbits are released into the wild, they are called hares.
MYTH! Rabbits and hares are two different genus. Click here for more information.
Rabbits eat their own poop.
FACT! Rabbits do TWO types of poop, the fecal and the cecal (aka Cecotropes) poops. The cecal poops are eaten right out of the anus and the fecals are the ones that they DO NOT eat. For more information, click here!
Rabbits eat mainly carrots and sometimes lettuces.
MYTH! Carrots should be fed no more than one table spoon per day and make sure the lettuce you feed is NOT ICEBERG lettuce. Iceberg lettuce or head lettuce gives the rabbits diarrhea and they WILL get sick. The daily intake of food in rabbits should be 80% hay, 10% vegetables, and 10% pellets. Click the "Diet" button on the left hand side for more information.
When rabbits are young, they are called BUNNIES.
FACT! The rabbits are born in litters and the baby rabbits are called kits and when they grow a little bit older, the young rabbits are called bunnies. Similar to deers, male rabbits are called bucks and females are does.
Rabbits only have 2 front teeth.
MYTH! Rabbits not only have FOUR teeth on the upper jaw and TWO teeth on the lower jaw, they also have molar teeth in the back to help them grind and chew food.
Rabbits LOVE being held.
MYTH! Although some rabbits are calmer than others, rabbits are generally afraid of heights and would try to kick hard with their hind legs to free themselves. At this point, when not held correctly, they can actually break their back because of the fragile bone structures. ALWAYS support their bottom when carrying them and NEVER hold them by their ears or their scruff.
Rabbits are GREAT for small children.
MYTH! Although rabbits may seem cute and cuddly, not all rabbits are like that. Some are more used to being handled, some are not. When adopting from a shelter, ask the volunteer or the person who is adopting out to you if the bunny is used to being handled or not. In addition, if you are interested in getting a rabbit and you have a small children, adopt a bigger rabbit from a shelters so your children will not easily pick up a rabbit (instead of a baby bunny) and having the rabbit kick to breaking his/her back. They also need great care like any other pets!
