Name
Oryctolagus cuniculus
European rabbit
Framing
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Infraclass: Eutheria
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Oryctolagus
Species: cuniculus
Habitat
Terrestrial, in diverse habitats, mainly in areas of Mediterranean scrub and agrosystems
Feeding
Phytophagous
Distribution
Native to southwestern Europe and North Africa, its worldwide distribution is very extensive due to human introductions. It is currently present throughout the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Conservation status
Globally Endangered (EN) (IUCN, 2019), but in Spain it is not included in the List of Species under Special Protection Regime.
Additional information
Ears long (but not longer than the length of the head) and uniform in colour (no blackish colouration at the ends, as in hares). Body less slender than that of the hare. Short tail
Additional information
Bibliography
- Alves, P. C., Ferrand, N., & Hackländer, K. (Eds). (2008). Lagomorph Biology Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation. Springer. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Lumpkin, S., & Seidensticker, J. (2011). Rabbits. The Animal Answer Guide. Johns Hopkins University Press. Disponible en biblioteca UGR.
- Thompson, K., King, C. M. (Eds.). (1994). The European Rabbit. The history and biology of a successful colonizer. Oxford University Press.
- Villafierte, R., & Delibes-Mateos, M. (2007). Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758). En Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Mamíferos terrestres de España (pp. 487-491). Palomo, L. J., Gisbert, J., & Blanco, J. C. (eds). Dirección General de Biodiversidad – SECEM-SECEMU. Accesible en: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/temas/inventarios-nacionales/ieet_mami_oryctolagus_cuniculus_tcm30-99858.pdf