How To Tell If A Rabbit Is Wild Or Domestic
Introduction
Ah, the beautiful wild rabbit. These creatures are a staple in many American backyards, but there’s a lot of misinformation out there about these animals. For example, did you know that domestic rabbits and wild rabbits are two very different species? Or that it’s actually illegal to keep even a wild-born rabbit as a pet? In this article, we’ll help you determine if that bunny in your backyard is truly wild or not.
Wild rabbits are typically larger than domestic rabbits.
Wild rabbits are typically larger than domestic rabbits. The size of a rabbit is always relative to the size of its environment, but generally speaking you can expect a wild rabbit to be larger than its domestic counterparts. Some people mistakenly think this applies to all rabbits because they have seen pictures of small wild cottontails next to large domestic breeds like New Zealand Whites, who grow up to be much larger than their wild cousins. However, this is not true for all domestic breeds—some will remain relatively small no matter how much food or space you give them.
The ears of a wild rabbit will be erect and upright, similar to how a cat’s ears sit on its head.
The ears of a wild rabbit will be erect and upright, similar to how a cat’s ears sit on its head. Domestic rabbits have smaller ears that are closer to their heads.
The reason for this difference is that wild rabbits have large ears in order to help them detect predators in the distance.
A wild rabbit will have long rear legs, with strong and large hind feet, which it uses for escape purposes.
A wild rabbit will have long rear legs, with strong and large hind feet, which it uses for escape purposes. Wild rabbits are very agile, and can jump and hop quickly. They also have longer ears than domestic rabbits.
Domestic rabbits tend to be a bit chunkier in build compared to their wild counterparts; however, there is still a size difference between domesticated breeds of rabbit (such as the lionhead breed) that you should consider when determining whether or not your pet is actually wild or domestic.
A domestic rabbit’s body length is smaller than that of a wild rabbit because they have been bred over time to enhance their ability to reproduce quickly under controlled conditions in captivity without compromising their health or safety.
Compare the length of the body between the shoulders and rump of your rabbit. If the body is longer than 15 inches, it’s likely a wild rabbit.
You can also measure the length of your rabbit’s body to determine whether it is wild or domestic. The average length of a domestic rabbit is 14 inches. If your rabbit’s body length is more than 15 inches, it is probably a wild rabbit.
Domestic rabbits typically have much shorter bodies than their wild counterparts.
Domestic rabbits typically have much shorter bodies than their wild counterparts. Their backs are slightly higher than their hindquarters and they have longer, leaner legs. In fact, domesticated rabbits can be as much as 20% smaller than their wild cousins because they’re not forced to spend so much time searching for food or avoiding predators.
Domestic rabbits also tend to have more rounded ears compared to the sharp-pointed ones on wild rabbits. They also tend to have softer fur that doesn’t require as much maintenance in terms of grooming compared with the rougher coat found on wild bunnies
Domestic rabbits usually weigh less than four pounds, while wild rabbits can weigh as much as nine pounds.
Domestic rabbits usually weigh less than four pounds, while wild rabbits can weigh as much as nine pounds. Wild rabbits are larger than domestic rabbits and have brown or white fur. They are found in the wild, while domestic rabbits live with people. Wild rabbits have longer hind legs and larger hind feet than domesticated ones do, making them better at jumping over fences and running away from predators (like cats). Finally, their bodies are longer than those of domesticated bunnies—so they look like they’re stretched out when they run!
Keeping track of these characteristics can help you know what to do next
If you think the rabbit is wild, leave it alone. Wild rabbits are best left alone to live in their natural habitat, without human interference.
Domestic rabbits that are still young and inexperienced should also be allowed to return home on their own. They can generally be easily identified by their lack of fear of humans and other animals, as well as the fact that they may approach people or pets for food or attention when hungry.
If you suspect an injured domestic rabbit (one with broken bones or other serious injuries) call your local wildlife rescue organization for help.
Conclusion
So, we’ve learned that there are a lot of differences between wild and domestic rabbits. Just by looking at them, we can see how their coats vary in color and size. Their behavior also changes depending on whether or not they have been domesticated – for example, a domestic rabbit will be less jumpy than its wild counterpart.
The biggest difference is that the diet of each type differs greatly due to their different environments; while domestic rabbits eat pellets and hay all day long (not carrots!), wild ones only eat vegetation from around them like grasses or leaves if food sources become scarce during winter months.
Hopefully you are now able to tell apart a wild rabbit from its more docile cousin!