Explains how to set and bait the trap for best results. to over 20 lbs. Wild rabbits don't live very long because of a variety of different factors. This post may contain affiliate links so I earn a commission. Before you rush out and buy a rabbit take a few things into consideration: First, a rabbit is going to be part of your family for several years or longer. Larger species grow to 20 inches (50 cm) and more than 10 lbs. Smaller breed rabbits like the dwarf breeds often live much longer than the giant breeds. This is because they are not exposed to disease, food scarcity and predators. Active 7 months ago. Indoor life is better than anything for a pet rabbit. Disease, harsh winter conditions, lack of food and predators all influence how long the rabbit will live. Surely a rabbit can't live for more than a couple of years right? Especially difficult is the animal, being a rabbit, when he needs food, he must go to the surface, where he is in danger. A rabbit is a commitment that's going to last for several years and they're going to be a part of your family for a long time. Furthermore, the wild Rabbit is at risk of … Shockingly, in the wild, rabbits can only expect to live a year or two at most. (depending on bunny..may be much LESS if smaller rabbit). Larger rabbits like the giant breeds for example are often very laid back with a gentle temperament but they're more susceptible to disease and other health problems. “How can I help a wild rabbit keep warm in the winter months?” The only answer that should be given is: YOU DON’T. The second reason is rain, flooding burrows. The reason for such a short life expectancy is in the death of young animals up to a month from the attack of wild animals. 1-2 weeks: 5-7 cc/ml each feeding (two feedings). Domesticated rabbits are known to live a slightly longer life as compared to outdoor rabbits. How Long Do Rabbits Live In The Wild? (5 kg); Flemish giant, 13 lbs. Rabbits are known to live for 3 to 5 years on an average in the wild. Why is this so important to understand? Some breeds can dig much faster than others. The life expectancy of a wild rabbit is much shorter than our domestic pets. Do some rabbit breeds live longer than others? How Long Do Wild Rabbits Live? They have to eat only what they themselves find. Adult rabbits weigh around 1.2 to 2 kilograms. Ordinarily, rabbits live for around 8-12 years with proper care. The reason for such a short life expectancy is in the death of young animals up to a month from the attack of wild animals. Rabbits breed between three to four times annually; this is major because the chances of survival of the offspring are significantly low, about 15%. However, the age differs for outdoor rabbits as compared to the domesticated ones. Rabbits don't live longer in the wild.   Just like dogs, miniature or dwarf breeds of rabbits tend to live longer than giant breeds. By the time the rabbit is more than two months, it is capable of starting its own family. With care, 10 years is a good average bunny lifespan. The smallest is the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), at only 20 centimetres in length and 0.4 kilograms in weight, while the largest rabbits grow to 50 centimetres and more than 2 kilograms. Learn how to construct several different beaver trapping sets. Wild rabbits might look similar to the cuddly domestic creatures you see in homes as pets, but they're a lot more self-sufficient and independent than the latter cuties. The lifespan of wild rabbits is shorter than the domestic ones. Cottontail rabbits are wild rabbits found all over North and South America. According to Dr. Lianne McLeod, a veterinarian, in a column for The Spruce website, the largest rabbit breeds are the checkered giant, over 11 lbs. The second reason is rain, flooding burrows. For example, on average an outdoor rabbit will have a shorter life expectancy than a rabbit that lives inside simply because of the hazards and climate changes associated with being outside. Outdoor rabbits live five times less than indoor rabbits. Now that the answer is out of the way, on to the questions: * If it’s a wild rabbit why are you trying to interfere with anything? How long can domestic rabbits live in wild [closed] Ask Question Asked 2 years, 11 months ago. Closed. Wild rabbits are resourceful, they’ll even live in old bucket or inside yard decor to stay warm. What to feed rabbits home? Small rabbits, such as pygmy rabbits, can be as little as 8 inches (20 centimeters) in length and weigh less than a pound. They will find shelter under a shed, or in a hollow log-any place that can help keep them warm. How Long Do Rabbits Live in the Wild? Domestic rabbits vary in size from 2 lbs. Most vegetables with green leaves are suitable: cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, parsley, dill, basil, spinach, mint, celery, chicory, carrots with tops, tomatoes. The survival rate of wild rabbits is very low in comparison to pet rabbits. Below are some of the genera and species of the rabbit. Privacy Policy      Advertising Policy      Share This Site      About Me      Additional Resources, This post may contain affiliate links so I earn a, Choosing The Best Mouse Trap For Your Home, Bed Bugs Pest Control - How To Identify And Remove Bed Bugs. Dwarf rabbit breeds, which usually weigh between 2.5-3 lbs. In fact, a wild rabbit usually only lives for about a year….sometimes two. The overall size of a rabbit is generally a good indicator of it's temperament and life expectancy. Empty cliff burrows are often taken over by nesting puffins and shearwaters. They have ears that stand up, hang down, or are stuck in the middle. Wild rabbits don't live very long because of a variety of different factors. In the wild, rabbits have lots of predators, and they usually die within a couple of years. Although rabbits do not hibernate, they do get more sleep than humans. With the proper diet, regular heath checkups and some good genetics your pet rabbit is going to be around for a while. 2 years old is considered a great age for a wild rabbit. Putting an animal in a household environment, it can not be achieved that the rabbit will live longer. Most wild rabbits in The United States are cottontails, who are brown with white tails. However, rabbits in the wild don’t live for as long as their domesticated counterparts. Rabbit's can live almost anywhere they are able to dig burrows. Wild rabbits are rather uniform in body proportions and stance. From nesting to tracking down sufficient sustenance for themselves each day, wild rabbits know how to live on their own. Wild bunnies should be fed kitten KMR or KMR and regular Goats Milk. Although their temperament isn't as "laid back" these smaller breeds often live 10, 11 or even 12 years. How long do pet rabbits live if you take care of them correctly? In the following article, I will introduce you to the basics of how to give your rabbit a long, healthy and happy life. This question needs details or clarity. Domestic rabbits are the same species as wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Domestic rabbits usually live between eight and 12 years, in contrast to wild rabbits, which may only live a few years because they deal with disease, starvation, and predators, said Judith Pierce, adoptions director at the San Diego House Rabbit Society. Their natural habitats include woods, meadows, forests, farmland, grassland, moorlands, salt marshes, embankments, sand dunes and cliffs. Many think that rabbits are exclusively domesticated animals that can not live in captivity. Wild Rabbits have greyish-brown fur with a characteristic white flash on the underside of their tail. They can live for up to 9 years, but in the wild it may be as short as one year. (4.5 kilograms). In the rare instances that wild rabbits did consume meat, it was actually their own young. Though the average life span for wild rabbits is 6 – 7 years, most of them hardly live for one year, mainly because of the predator threats in the wild. by Helen Mcgarrigle. How long do rabbits live? Their long ears of rabbits are most likely an adaptation for detecting predators. But wild rabbits have a poor survival rate during the winter. In the wild, rabbits can theoretically live 4 to 5 years, but the majority live far shorter lives, often less than 1 year. Wild rabbits don’t hibernate like other small mammals. Return from How Long Do Rabbits Live to Rabbit Trapping. Finally, wild rabbits can burrow anywhere including in your yard, garden, meadows, forests, grasslands, woodlands, mountains, marshlands, sand dunes, railway verges or even in urban areas Luckily, for wild rabbits, this isn’t a problem because food is available to them throughout the year. Usually, wild rabbits live for a year at the most. It is not currently accepting answers. However, the cottontail does not live in warrens but lives in nests, hollows or burrows made by other animals. On average these larger breeds will usually live for around 5 years. Weather conditions, namely heavy rains affect their homes, they just fill with water. In the summer green plants are favored. This is because they are not taken care of and that they are exposed to predators. They can be 30-40 cm long, making them smaller than most domestic rabbits. In the wild, rabbits barely survive to 3 years. Many animals hibernate in the winter because the harsh weather and scarcity of food can kill them. 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