Rabbit (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Rabbit

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Rabbit
Photo of Rabbit
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Photo of Rabbits in a field
Rabbit warrens can be monitored for activity


General information

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are one of Australia´s major agricultural and environmental animal pests costing between $600 million and $1 billion annually.

Rabbits compete with native animals, destroy the landscape and are a primary cause of soil erosion - preventing regeneration of native vegetation.

All varieties of rabbit including domestic breeds are Class 2 declared animals under Queensland legislation. It is the responsibility of landholders to control rabbits on their land.

Scientific name

Oryctolagus cuniculus
Impacts
  • competes with native animals for food and burrow space
  • grazing and burrowing leads to soil erosion and silting of aquatic ecosystems
  • may ringbark trees in search of moisture during times of drought
Description
  • usually grey-brown with a pale belly; black or ginger can also be common
  • has long hind legs and short front legs
  • has long ears and large eyes
  • usually weighing about 1.3-2.3 kg
Habitat and life cycle
  • live in warrens where soil is easy to dig, tussock grasses and areas littered with fallen timber
  • found throughout Australia
  • does (female rabbits) can have up to 5-6 litters in a good breeding season producing an average of 3-4 kittens
  • litters of up to eight kittens are possible for older does depending on food quantity and quality
  • gestation period is between 28-30 days
  • breeding can commence from four months
Control
  • different control methods including destroying rabbit warrens, baiting, rabbit-proof fencing, fumigation, trapping and shooting with land management practices are most effective
  • biological control such as Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
  • see the rabbit fact sheet and the rabbit control manual for further information
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 2 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • landholders are required to control declared pests on their land
  • it is an offence to keep a rabbit of any variety as a pet
Further information
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last reviewed 18 September 2009

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