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). They 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. For jackrabbits, which are actually hares, in the genus Lepus, see hare. 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).

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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 themselves from spreading apart as they jump. They are well-known for digging networks of burrows called warrens, where they spend most of their time when not feeding. The young being born blind and furless, in a furlined nest in the warren, and totally dependent upon their mother. See also: Rabbits in Australia for details of it as a pest species in that country. Rabbits are an example of an animal which is treated as both food and pet by the same culture. Snares or guns are usually employed when catching wild rabbits for food.

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