ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - Rabbits Flashcards
What taxonomic order are rabbits included in?
Taxonomic order Lagomorpha
Rabbits are crepuscular animals. What does this mean?
Crepuscular animals are active during twilight
What is the lifespan of a rabbit?
Rabbits can live between five to twelve years old
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s temperature?
Temperature: 38.5-40°C
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s heartbeat?
Heatbeat: 180-300 bpm
What is the reference range for a rabbit’s respiratory rate?
Respiratory rate: 30-60 per min
When a rabbit is stressed, what is the average respiratory rate?
When a rabbit is stressed, their respiratory rate can reach above 100 per min
What is the lagomorph (rabbit) dental formula?
2-0-3-3 / 1-0-2-3
Identify this breed of rabbit
Lop rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Lionhead rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Netherland dwarf
Identify this breed of rabbit
English rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Dutch rabbit
Identify this breed of rabbit
Giant rabbit
What are one of the main health issues Lop rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Lop rabbits are prone to ear disease due to their large floppy ears leading to a lack of ventilation as well as providing a dark, moist space for bacteria to habituate
What are one of the main health issues Netherland dwarf rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Netherland dwarf rabbits are prone to congenital dental disease
What are one of the main health issues Giant rabbits are prone to due to their breed?
Giant rabbits have a very fragile lumbar skeleton due to their size
What is the most important component of a rabbit’s diet?
Fibre
What percentage of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fibre?
20-25% of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fibre
What percentage of an adult rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein?
12-16% of an adult rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein
What percentage of a young or lactating rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein?
19% of a young or lactating rabbit’s diet should be made up of protein
What percentage of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fats?
2-3% of a rabbit’s diet should be made up of fats
What are the two types of fibre required in a rabbit’s diet?
Indigestible fibres (long fibres)
Digestible fibres (short fibres)
What are the two main components of indigestible fibres (long fibres)?
Lignin
Cellulose
What are the three main components of digestible fibres (short fibres)?
Cellulose
Hemicellulose
Pectin
Why are indigestible fibres (long fibres) such an important aspect of a rabbit’s diet?
Indigestible fibres (long fibres) promote gut health and provide optimal dental wear
Why are digestible fibres (short fibres) such an important aspect of a rabbit’s diet?
Digestible fibres (short fibres) promote caecal fermentation and provide nutrients
What are the three main components of a rabbit’s diet (i.e. what should you feed a rabbit)?
Hay/grass
Pelleted food
Leafy greens
Which two types of hay are best to feed to pet rabbits?
Timothy hay
Meadow hay
Why is it not advisable to feed pet rabbits alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay has a high calcium percentage and in the long term can lead to urinary sedimentation and overloading of the kidneys
What are the three types of concentrates that are fed to pet rabbits?
Cereal mix
Pellet food
Extruded food
Why should cereal mix be avoided when feeding rabbits?
Cereal mix concentrates lead to selective feeding and an unbalanced diet
Why is extruded food the best form of concentrates to be fed to rabbits?
Extruded food contained both indigestible (long) and digestible (short) fibres which are more palatable to rabbits