European Rabbit,Coelho Europeu

Description:

The European Rabbit is a small, grey-brown (or sometimes black) mammal ranging from 34–45 cm (13-18 inches) in length, and is approximately 1.3-2.2 kg (3-5 lb) in weight. As a lagomorph, it has four sharp incisors (two on top, two on bottom) that grow continuously throughout its life, and two peg teeth on the top behind the incisors, dissimilar to those of rodents (which have only 2 each, top and bottom). Rabbits have long ears, large hind legs, and short, fluffy tails. Rabbits move by hopping, using their long and powerful hind legs. To facilitate quick movement, a rabbit's hind feet have a thick padding of fur to dampen the shock of rapid hopping. Their toes are long, and are webbed to keep from spreading apart as the animal jumps

Habitat:

Rabbits are gregarious, social animals, living in medium-sized colonies known as warrens. Rabbits are largely crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk, although they are not infrequently seen active during the day. During the day, rabbits prefer to reside in vegetated patches which they use for protection from predators. At night, they move into open prairie to feed.Rabbit populations seem to be greatest in ecotone habitats and less in scrublands or grasslands.[7] Rabbits are essentially mixed-feeders, both grazing and browsing, but grass is their primary food source. They nevertheless have a diverse diet of grasses, leaves, buds, tree bark, and roots. They will also eat lettuce, cabbage, root vegetables, and grains. Birds of prey are the primary predators of rabbits in scrublands. Rabbits in grasslands are preyed on by carnivores. Ecotone rabbits are preyed on by both.

Notes:

spotted on the open fields of the Vila Nova de Gaia Biological Park. the rabbits are in a free "mode" so is normal to se them very near,they dont have fear of humans and let us go to 4 or 5 m without running away,very cute animal