Rabbit Habitat

Is it just me or does the rabbit (any rabbit) make one go all awwww
(for the lack of a better term) at their cuteness? Rabbits are some of
the cutest species, if the article picture is anything to go by. If
you live in the city, the chances are that you've probably seen them
only at zoos. It's only those who have farms (and who keep rabbits)
who know what the habitat of a rabbit is all about. Now there are two
reasons why you would want to know about the rabbit habitat. One, for
general knowledge and two, if you are thinking of getting one as a
pet. For reasons we just mentioned, let us learn something more about
the habitat of rabbits in the following sections.

Habitat of a Rabbit

In connection with the habitat of rabbits, it could be taken in
connection with two scenarios - one, the habitat in captivity and two,
the habitat in the wild. Let's give you the details of the same in the
sections that follow.

Habitat in the Wild
A rabbit habitat is one in which the rabbit naturally exists and
lives. Rabbits prefer to live in places that have a moderate climate.
Rabbits who live in their natural surroundings and habitats live in
meadows, forests, grasslands, sagebrush, woods and dense thickets.
These are places that are ideal for a rabbit because they allow a
rabbit to create burrows, where they feel safe and protected, as well
as allows them the opportunity to explore their surroundings. In
addition to that, all these places are out in the open and therefore
they allow a rabbit plenty of space for running. This is an essential
feature of the habitat of a rabbit because it helps the rabbit to keep
fit.

In the wild, the rabbits build warrens for housing. These are
essentially burrows which have several tunnels that interconnect them.
These warrens have spaces and areas that are especially designated for
varied purposes like sleeping or raising the young. They have a very
small opening so that once the rabbit escapes into the burrow, his
predator will not be able to attack him. Another purpose that it
serves is that it allows the rabbits protection against the heat and
cold in the summer and winter seasons respectively. The rabbits spend
most of their time in the burrows where they feel secure and protected
and are only seen to come out during dawn, early morning and dusk.

Habitat in Captivity
When creating a housing area for a pet rabbit, it is important that
you remember all the features of the habitat in the wild so that you
can duplicate the same. This is necessary because it helps the rabbit
to adjust to the created habitat better. That does not mean that you
simply re-create the physical structure of the burrows and warrens,
but understand why the habitat of a rabbit is important for it. The
habitat of the rabbit needs a particular structure (like the
interconnected tunnels) to keep the rabbit occupied and engaged.

If one is able to create a housing area that closely resembles the
natural habitat of the rabbit in the wild, then it will be easier for
the rabbit to adjust, and you will have no trouble with an
ill-adjusted pet rabbit.

Rabbit Condos Essentials
Condos are multi-storied cages that are especially built to re-create
the same effect of the warrens. These work best if you have more than
two rabbits for pets.

There are several ways in which you can create a condo. Use natural
substances to form the basic structure or remodel already existing
cages by placing them one on top of the other and then getting rid of
the walls. The idea is to create shelves and tunnels. Fill the cages
with mud and plants to give it a more natural feel. While modeling a
burrow for the rabbit(s), make sure to include a small box that is
filled with hay so that the rabbits can escape into this whenever they
feel the need to feel safe and protected.

How you decorate the cage is entirely your choice - like if you do not
want to clutter the cage with mud and plants, but instead want to keep
it plain; or fill it with a stray toy here and there. If you're not
the creative type, you can buy a ready-made cage from the store just
as well. Here are some things that you should keep in mind when going
in for, or creating a condo.

Each rabbit requires about four times the space of its size. Make
sure that you have this factor planned for.
Do not use grids in the cage that are bigger than an inch. A
rabbit might want to explore the area and get its head stuck in one of
the grids, thus causing it harm.
Be absolutely sure that you check the safety of the cage while
building it and do a re-check once it's done. Make sure there are no
screws, nails or other things left in the cage.
Be careful with the kind of material you use to build the condo or
the things that you keep in the cage. Nothing that can be chewed upon
or is toxic should find its way there.
The placement of the cage is just as important because rabbits
tend to get startled very easily. Place the cage in a quiet area where
there is not too much activity happening to disturb them. Speak out
loud as you approach the cage to prepare the rabbit for your arrival,
thus preventing it from getting startled.
Do not handle the rabbits often and keep them away from small kids
who might be too rough with them.
It is essential that the rabbit gets at least 3 hours of exercise
everyday. So do the needful and let it out of its cage everyday for 3
hours.
Some people who have the privilege of space, like a garden or
farm, build a coop or a rabbit hutch to house the rabbits. This is
more humane and allows the rabbit to have more space and freedom.
Some house them in these coops for the day and get them in for the night.