Coelho-bravo (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Biometrics
Length: 34 - 45 cm
Weight: 1 - 2 kg

Curiosities
The European rabbit is a characteristic species of Mediterranean ecosystems and is part of the diet of numerous predators. It is a key species in the diet of endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle.

European rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Class Mammalia, Order Lagomorpha, Family Leporidae

General description
The European rabbit has a greyish-brown coat, but it can vary between black, brown, and sometimes reddish, tones. The fur on the underside of the body is light grey and white under the tail. It has long, black whiskers and the hind legs are more developed than the front legs.

Feeding
It feeds mainly on herbaceous plants and, sometimes, shrubs, but there are considerable variations in its diet depending on the location and season. They favour young leaves, sprouts and shoots of the most nutritious plant species.

Behavior
The European rabbit lives in colonies, with well-defined social structures, inside burrows built with underground tunnel systems. Generally, they never stray too far from their burrows, since it’s where they shelter when they are not feeding.

In Portugal
This species can be observed in a large part of the national territory, although it is less common nowadays. They can occur in different types of habitats, preferring temperate scrub and woodland, pastures, and agricultural mosaic areas. It mostly frequents border areas, between meadows and bushland.
In Portugal, European rabbit populations have suffered a serious decline due to two viral diseases: myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease. Along with habitat loss and destruction, these threats have led to the classification of this species as “near threatened”.