By Adrian A. Kruiser, BBA, RVT, LVT
Cotton Bro Studio / Pexels
If you’re curious about the differences between rabbits and rabbits, you’re not alone. Do these words mean the same thing, or are they only suitable for certain ages or types of animals? Find out if there are differences, and if so what the differences are, so you can use the appropriate terminology when referring to your fluffy pet.
Are rabbits and rabbits different?
There is no difference between bunnies and rabbits. The word “bunny” is another word for rabbit. The main difference between using the words bunnies and rabbits is that many people describe small or baby rabbits as bunnies. But it’s also not wrong to call larger or adult rabbits “bunnies.” Many rabbit owners use this term as a term of endearment for mature rabbits. Note that “bunny” is a term that refers to both domesticated and wild rabbits.
rabbit vs rabbit vs rabbit
So if rabbits and rabbits are the same, what’s different about rabbits? Let’s see what makes a rabbit a true rabbit.
What is Rabbit?
Rabbits are furry mammals with long ears, powerful hind legs, and fluffy tails like cotton balls. There are domestic rabbits and wild rabbits. Domesticated rabbit breeds are found in homes around the world as pets, as well as on farms where they are raised for food. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) 49 different breeds About domestic rabbits. “Oryctolagus cuniculus” is the Latin species name for all domestic rabbits, regardless of breed. Although they are part of the “Lagomorpha” and “Lagodae”, they are not the same as hares or wild rabbits.
Rabbits have an average lifespan of eight years, but their lifespans vary greatly. One pet rabbit has been documented to live to 18 years, but most live to 5 to 10 years. Rabbits are sometimes called rabbits all their lives.
What is Rabbit?
Hares and wild rabbits belong to the same order as domestic rabbits, but they belong to different genera. There are two types of wild rabbits: cottontails and pygmy rabbits. Wild cottontails belong to the genus ‘Sylvilagus’ and wild pygmy rabbits belong to the genus ‘Brachylagus’. Finally, hares, also known as ‘jackrabbits’, are part of the ‘rabbit family’..Hares have longer ears than most rabbits and have 48 chromosomes compared to 44 in rabbits. All wild rabbits and hares are sometimes called rabbits.
A hare usually has a lifespan of about 3 to 2 years. 5 years In the wild, some individuals live longer in captivity. Factors such as habitat, predation, and food availability can affect its longevity.
Is it correct to say bunny?
The word bunny has several different meanings, one of which is the informal term for rabbit. However, although it is correct to call a rabbit a rabbit, it is not the formal term for any member of the rabbit family. Rabbits of any age can be called rabbits, male rabbits can be called “Buck” and female rabbits can be called “Do”.
Other terms used when referring to rabbits:
- Connie (an archaic word for rabbit)
- Lapin (rabbit in French)
- Usagi (often used by children)
What are baby rabbits called?
Baby rabbits are sometimes called bunnies, but in technical terms they are called kits. The word is derived from the word “kitten”, but this long name is not commonly used. Rabbit giving birth is called “kindling”, and up to 15 rabbits can be born in one birth. All rabbit kits are born without fur and have closed eyes and ears. As rabbits grow, their fur develops and they can see and hear. At around 6 to 8 weeks of age, kits are ready to leave their mothers and live on their own, so rabbits younger than this are not found for sale or for adoption.
References
Mammalian Spermatogenesis Studies VI. Rabbit Chromosomes
Department of Natural Resources: Cottontail Rabbit
Adrian Cruther is an accomplished veterinarian and author with over 15 years of hands-on experience in the care of domestic and exotic animals.