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European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were first introduced to Australia in the 18th century with the First Fleet, and later became widespread, because of Thomas Austin. [1] Such wild rabbit populations are a serious mammalian pest and invasive species in Australia causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to crops. Their spread may have ...
While other settlers praised his efforts at the time, he has borne the brunt of blame for introducing this pest to Australia. [6] In 2022, a study of genomic data confirmed Australia's feral rabbit population was entirely descended from the rabbits introduced by Austin. [7] [8]
Introductions of commercially valuable species or game species were also made. In some instances, the results were disastrous, such as the economic and ecological disaster of introducing rabbits to Australia or possums to New Zealand. The dire effects were rapidly felt and a Rabbit Nuisance Act was passed in New Zealand in 1876.
The European rabbit was introduced and established a self-sustaining population in 1971 after a group of school children released 8 rabbits on the island. [85] [86] The European rabbit has been introduced as an exotic species into several environments, often with harmful results to vegetation and local wildlife, making it an invasive species.
Rabbits were introduced to Australia with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. [2] A population of 24 rabbits were released near Geelong in 1859 to be hunted for sport. The native quolls predated upon rabbits [3] and prior to 1870, many accounts recorded quolls impeding their establishment on the mainland while island colonies thrived. [4]
Female rabbits can have one to seven litters of one to twelve young, called kits, in a year; however, they average three to four litters per year, and the average number of kits is five. [15] In the southern states of the United States, female eastern cottontails have more litters per year (up to seven) but fewer young per litter.
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Rabbits may appear to be crepuscular, but many species [26] are naturally inclined towards nocturnal activity. [98] In 2011, the average sleep time of a rabbit in captivity was calculated at 8.4 hours per day; [99] previous studies have estimated sleep periods as long as 11.4 hours on average, undergoing both slow-wave and rapid eye movement sleep.