Editing Rabbit (section)

{{Short description|Mammals of the family Leporidae}}
{{Redirect|Bunny|other uses|Bunny (disambiguation)|and|Rabbit (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| auto = yes
| fossil_range = Late [[Eocene]] – [[Holocene]], {{Fossil range|55|0}}
| image = Oryctolagus cuniculus Rcdo.jpg
| image_alt = A small brown rabbit sat on the dirt in a forest. Its ears are small and alert and the tip of its nose, part of its chest and one of its feet are white.
| image_caption = [[European rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'')
| parent = Leporidae
| subdivision_ranks = Included genera
| subdivision = {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|{{plainlist|
* ''[[Pentalagus]]''
* ''[[Bunolagus]]''
* ''[[Nesolagus]]''
* ''[[Romerolagus]]''
* ''[[Brachylagus]]''
* ''[[Sylvilagus]]''
* ''[[Oryctolagus]]''
* ''[[Poelagus]]''
* ''[[Caprolagus]]''
* ''[[Pronolagus]]''
}}}}
| excludes = 
* ''[[Lepus]]''
}}

'''Rabbits''' are small [[mammal]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Leporidae]] (which also includes the [[hare]]s), which is in the [[order (biology)|order]] [[Lagomorpha]] (which also includes [[pika]]s). They are familiar throughout the world as a small herbivore, a prey animal, a domesticated form of livestock, and a pet, having a widespread effect on [[Ecology|ecologies]] and cultures. The most widespread rabbit [[Genus|genera]] are ''[[Oryctolagus]]'' and ''[[Sylvilagus]]''. The former, ''Oryctolagus'', includes the [[European rabbit]], ''Oryctolagus cuniculus'', which is the ancestor of the hundreds of [[List of rabbit breeds|breeds]] of [[domestic rabbit]] and has been introduced on every continent except [[Antarctica]]. The latter, ''Sylvilagus'', includes over 13 wild rabbit species, among them the [[cottontail rabbit|cottontails]] and [[tapeti]]s. Wild rabbits not included in ''Oryctolagus'' and ''Sylvilagus'' include several species of limited [[Species distribution|distribution]], including the [[pygmy rabbit]], [[volcano rabbit]], and [[Sumatran striped rabbit]].

Rabbits are a [[paraphyletic]] grouping, and do not constitute a [[clade]], as hares (belonging to the [[genus]] ''Lepus'') are nested within the [[Leporidae]] clade and are not described as rabbits. Although once considered [[rodent]]s, lagomorphs diverged earlier and have a number of traits rodents lack, including two extra [[incisor]]s. Similarities between rabbits and rodents were once attributed to [[convergent evolution]], but studies in [[molecular biology]] have found a [[common ancestor]] between lagomorphs and rodents and place them in the clade [[Glires]].

Rabbit [[physiology]] is suited to escaping predators and surviving in various [[habitat]]s, living either alone or in groups in nests or burrows. As prey animals, rabbits are constantly aware of their surroundings, having a wide field of vision and ears with high surface area to detect potential predators. The ears of a rabbit are essential for [[thermoregulation]] and contain a high density of [[blood vessel]]s. The bone structure of a rabbit's hind legs, which is longer than that of the fore legs, allows for quick hopping, which is beneficial for escaping predators and can provide powerful kicks if captured. Rabbits are typically [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and often sleep with their eyes open. They reproduce quickly, having short [[Pregnancy (mammals)|pregnancies]], large [[litter (zoology)|litter]]s of four to twelve kits, and no particular [[mating season]]; however, the mortality rate of rabbit embryos is high, and there exist several widespread diseases that affect rabbits, such as [[rabbit hemorrhagic disease]] and [[myxomatosis]]. In some regions, especially [[Australia]], rabbits have caused ecological problems and are regarded as a pest.

Humans have used rabbits as livestock since at least the first century BC in [[ancient Rome]], raising them for their meat, fur and wool. The various breeds of the European rabbit have been developed to suit each of these products; the practice of raising and breeding rabbits as livestock is known as [[cuniculture]]. Rabbits are seen in human culture globally, appearing as a [[symbol]] of fertility, cunning, and innocence in [[major religions]], historical and contemporary art.