Minimal Parental Care:
- Nest Preparation: Some rabbit species prepare a simple nest for their young. The mother may line a burrow or nest with soft materials like grass, fur, and leaves.
- Nursing: Mothers nurse their offspring until they are weaned. The feeding frequency and duration vary depending on the species.
- Leaving the Nest: Once the young rabbits are old enough, they leave the nest and fend for themselves. The female rabbit's involvement in their daily care ceases at this point.
Moderate Parental Care:
In addition to the above, some rabbit species exhibit more moderate levels of parental care:
- Protection: The mother may stay near the nest to protect the young from predators and potential dangers.
- Vigilance: The female rabbit might be vigilant in keeping watch over her kits and alert to potential threats.
- Feeding Assistance: After weaning, the mother may still provide occasional food and feeding assistance to her young until they become fully independent.
Extended Parental Care:
A few rabbit species are known for their extended parental care, which might include some or all of the following:
- Alloparenting: In some rabbit species, group living may involve alloparenting, where non-maternal females, such as sisters, aunts, or even unrelated females, help care for the young within the social group.
- Nest Sharing: In species with communal nesting, such as the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), several female rabbits may share a single nest, providing collective care for the young.
- Paternal Involvement: In certain species, males might participate in paternal care, such as nest defense, feeding, and guarding the young. Although male rabbits generally do not provide the same level of care as females, cooperative breeding systems have been observed in some cases.
It's important to note that the specific patterns and intensity of parental care can vary among different rabbit species, and exceptions may exist within a species.