Rabbit Physiology
- Life span: 9 to 12 years
- Heart rate: 130 to 135 beats per minute
- Respiratory rate: 32 to 60 breaths per minute
- Rectal temperature: 100 to 103 degrees F
- Water intake: 50 to 100 milliliters per kilogram of weight per day
- Urine volume: 20 to 250 milliliters per kilogram of weight per day
- Gastrointestinal transit time: 4 to 5 hours
- Blood volume: 55 to 65 millileters per kilogram of weight
- Dental formula (top): 2 incisors, 0 canines, 3 premolars, 3 molars
- Dental formula (bottom): 1 incisor, 0 canines, 2 premolars, 3 molars
Rabbit Reproduction
- Puberty: 4 to 8 months
- Age at which to neuter: after 3 months of age
- Interval between neutering and infertility: 29 to 35 days
- Litter size: 4 to 10 kits
- Eyes open: 7 to 10 days
- Weaning age: 6 to 8 weeks
- Birth weight: 30 to 80 grams
Rabbit Anatomy
- Hind legs: Strong; used to propel the body forward, up to 35 miles per hour
- Hind feet: Long; used to assist with hopping, leaping, standing and to thump the ground as a warning signal to other rabbits
- Nails: Sharp; used for digging burrows
- Tail: Cotton-like; used to communicate happiness, anger, stress, excitement
- Ears: Cupped and rotatable to better hear; used to regulate body heat
- Eyes: Set on the side of the head for a 360-degree view
- Whiskers: Used to feel and help navigate through dark burrows
- Nose: Used to smell food and predators
- Mouth, teeth, tongue: Used chew food up to 120 times per minute
- Upper lip: Sensitive, divided and finger-like: used to help feel food
