A white and brown spotted domestic rabbit sitting on the ground. — Photo: Friedrich Haag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Domestic Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus (domestic)

The pet and farm rabbit, descended from the wild European rabbit and bred into many sizes and colors.

🐐 Farm Animals 🦁 Mammals

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About the Domestic Rabbit

Domestic rabbits come from the wild European rabbit and are the same species. Breeds range from dwarf rabbits of about 2 pounds to giants of 20 pounds and 4 feet long, though most weigh 2 to 8 pounds. They eat hay, grass, vegetables and fruit and need lots of fiber. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk and eat almost constantly while awake.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus (domestic)^[1]
Size: Most 1 to 2 feet long; giant breeds up to 4 feet.^[1]
Weight: Most 2 to 8 pounds; from 2 to 20 pounds depending on breed.^[1]
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years as pets.^[1]
Diet: Herbivore. Hay, grass, vegetables and fruit.^[1]
Where it lives: Kept worldwide; wild ancestors live in Europe.^[1]
Group life: Social, with dominance ranks. Most active at dawn and dusk.^[1]
Babies: 5 to 8 young per litter.^[1]
Conservation status: Domestic. Not assessed by the IUCN.^[1]

Fun facts

Rabbits use their ears to warm up or cool down.^[1]
Pet rabbits are the same species as wild European rabbits.^[1]
Rabbits eat some of their own droppings to get extra nutrients.^[1]

Vocabulary

domesticated: Tamed and raised by people over many generations.
cecotrope: A soft dropping that rabbits eat again to get nutrients.
fiber: The tough part of plants that helps digestion.
breed: A group of domestic animals with a certain look, developed by people.
crepuscular: Most active at dawn and dusk.

See it in person

Oakland ZooOakland, California · Children's ZooSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Oakland Zoo. “Domestic Rabbit.” https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/domestic-rabbit/ (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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