Feral Rabbit

Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus

Common name: European Rabbit

History:

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), are native to Europe, however, when European settlers' introduced rabbits to Australia in 1788 it was a fateful mistake. Initially brought over for hunting and food purposes, rabbits quickly escaped captivity and proliferated, showcasing their astounding adaptability to the Australian environment.

Their population exploded within a remarkably short period, leading to their status as Australia's most destructive invasive species. By the 1850s, rabbits had spread like wildfire throughout the continent, posing a serious threat to native wildlife and agriculture.

Ecology

Rabbits are herbivores, primarily feeding on grass, leaves, herbs, and roots.

They are known for their high reproductive rate, with females capable of breeding as early as 3-4 months old and they can have multiple litters a year, each containing 4-12 young rabbits.

Rabbits can breed year-round, but their peak breeding season occurs in spring and summer. Female rabbits, known as does, have a gestation period of about 30 days and can give birth to up to 12 young per litter.

They raise young underground in a nest chamber somewhere within their burrow system. This makes control difficult and sometimes requires burrows to be dug up.

During breeding season rabbits to many peoples surprise can become very territorial and will even hunt out other rabbits young to kill them.

Impact:

Rabbits are a widespread issue, found throughout Australia, particularly in southern and eastern regions, but they have spread to almost every part of the continent. They are also present in parts of New Zealand and various areas of Europe and North America, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

The impacts of rabbits can be measured in four different points: Ecological damage, Agricultural damage, loss of biodiversity, and soil degradation.

Rabbits have proven to be one of Australia's most devastating agricultural pests. Their voracious appetite destroys vast areas of crops and pasturelands, causing millions of dollars in yearly losses.

Wheat, vegetables, and young fruit trees are particularly at risk as rabbits gnaw on their tender shoots and roots. In some regions, rabbits have decimated entire crops, significantly damaging farmers and local economies.

This has led to the decline of many native plant species that cannot regenerate due to constant defoliation. This damage further disrupts food sources for native animals, including marsupials and ground-nesting birds, contributing to declining biodiversity across Australia. 

The widespread destruction of native vegetation by rabbits also exacerbates soil erosion. Without the protective cover of plants, the land is left vulnerable to wind and water erosion, which can lead to long-term land degradation. The loss of topsoil can make it difficult for any vegetation to re-establish, creating a cycle of environmental harm that is hard to reverse.

Their burrowing habits also damage farming infrastructure. Rabbits dig extensive burrows that undermine irrigation systems, damage fences, and make farm machinery vulnerable to breakdowns. The soil erosion due to their grazing further exacerbates the financial losses by reducing the overall fertility of the land, making it harder for farmers to maintain sustainable crops.

Rabbits are also known to be carriers of many diseases and parasites, these include:

• Pasteurellosis

• Ringworm

• Cryptosporidiosis

• External Parasites (Fleas, Ticks, Mites, Lice)

• Hydatid disease (internal parasite)

Control Methods:

Introducing diseases like myxomatosis in 1950 and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the 1990s provided some hope for controlling rabbit populations.

These diseases are highly effective in killing large numbers of rabbits. However, their use is controversial, as they have unintended consequences on other wildlife populations. Myxomatosis, for example, is not species-specific and can affect non-target species, including native marsupials.

While diseases like myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease have successfully reduced the rabbit population, they do not provide a long-term solution.

Resistance to the diseases has developed in some rabbit populations, and the pathogens themselves can have ecological side effects that threaten native wildlife. This highlights the need for ongoing innovation in pest control and the potential for new, more effective solutions.

Rabbit-proof fencing is another commonly used control measure, particularly around agricultural land. These fences can help keep rabbits out of valuable crops and pastureland. However, maintaining the integrity of these fences is an ongoing challenge, as rabbits are known to burrow underneath or find weak points to exploit.

The foothold traps used by our forefathers are long gone. Trapping and shooting are standard methods for controlling rabbit numbers. Ground-based shooting, alongside control measures such as poisoned baits, is commonly used in rural and agricultural areas to control populations.

Habitat modification, such as reducing vegetation cover and eliminating potential burrowing sites, is also increasingly seen as essential for managing rabbit populations.