Classification and Characteristics of Rabbits

Rabbits belong to the scientific family leporidae along with their close relatives, the hares. All but one of the 11 genera in the leporidae family consist of rabbit species. Rabbits are widespread and can be found living wild on every continent in the world except for Antarctica. They are not native to Australia, but have been introduced there by humans.

  1. Rabbits of the Americas

    • North and South America are home to a wide variety of rabbit species from three different genera. The genus known as sylvilagus, or cottontail rabbits, contains the most species with 17 different types. They are generally small to medium-sized with reddish-brown to gray fur and all have a distinctive, pure white cotton-ball-like tail. Cottontails are found from eastern Canada down to northern South America. Volcano rabbits are small with rounded ears and a barely visible tail. They are native to just a remote area outside of Mexico City. Pygmy rabbits are the smallest in North America. Like the volcano rabbits, their ears and tails are relatively small.

    African Rabbits

    • Africa is home to five species of rabbit from three different genera. Often mistakenly referred to as hares, the three species in the genus pronolagus are known as rock hares. They get their name from their habit of living in rocky or stony habitats with dense bushes and grasses. The three species all also have a reddish hue to their fur. The Bunyoro rabbit, known locally as the Uganda grass hair, looks similar to domestic rabbits with small ears and short limbs. The riverine rabbit is also an African native. Its distinct cheek stripe markings set it apart from other species.

    Asian Rabbits

    • Asia is home to four species of rabbit from three genera. The Amami rabbit is the sole member of the pentalagus genus and is native to a few small islands in Japan. Its distinctive features include elongated, curved claws and small eyes compared to other species. The nesolagus rabbits are more commonly known as Sumatran rabbits. These rabbits are distinct because of their striped body fur, a trait uncommon in wild rabbits. The hispid hare is not a true hare, but is in fact a rabbit. It is native to Nepal and northern India. It has short, wide ears and large teeth compared to other species.

    European Rabbits

    • The European rabbit is the only species native to Europe, having originated from the Iberian Peninsula. Today, the species has been spread by man to every continent except Asia and Antarctica and is the species from which all domestic breeds are descended. It has long ears, powerful back legs and grayish brown coloring. Through selective breeding the domestic descendants of this species have come to be varied in size, coat type, coloration and general appearance.