The Rabbit
Coinín
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Status
: Widespread, Common
Size : 35-42 cm
Weight : 2.8-3.5 pounds
One of the most recognisable and common wild mammals in Ireland the Rabbit has often been linked with folklore and tales. During times of food shortage the Rabbit became a very important source of food, the rabbits food or tail has also been seen as a symbol of good luck.
The Rabbit was introduced by the Normans over 750 Years ago, since when it has multiplied very rapidly, part of the reason for its rapid success is that during breeding upto 6 young are produced and they can have multiple births per year, each new rabbit is capable of breeding after only one year. Another reason for its rapid growth has been the removal of many of the natural predators. Foxes and Buzzards are two of the major predators for the Rabbit, but the numbers of both have declined over the last 200 years.
The Rabbit was nearly wiped out by the spread of Myxomatosis, a viral infection, which was deliberately released in England in 1953 to reduce the number of Rabbits, however the disease spread very rapidly as it is carried by mosquitos and fleas and the population of Rabbits fell to dangerously low numbers, the virus wiped out 95% of the Rabbits in England and Ireland. Whilst the disease is still seen today most rabbits have developed an immunity to the disease.
This photograph was taken in Ballykeeran, Athlone, April 2005