Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae, found
in many parts of the world. There are seven different
genera in the family classified as rabbits, including
the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), cottontail
rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami
Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, an endangered species on
Amami Oshima, Japan). Rabbits are distinguished from the
related hares in that they are altricial, having young
that are born blind and hairless; many also live underground
in burrows. Rabbits vary in size and weight. As a lagomorph,
they have 4 sharp incisors (2 on top, 2 on bottom) that
grow continuously throughout their life, and two peg teeth
on the top behind the inscisors, dissimilar to those of
rodents (which have only 2 each, top and bottom). Rabbits
have long ears, large hind legs, and short fluffy tails.
Rabbits move by hopping, using their long and powerful
hind legs. To facilitate quick movement, rabbit hind feet
have a thick padding of fur to dampen the shock of rapid
hopping. Their toes are long, and are webbed to keep them
from spreading apart as they jump.
|
