Rabbits are raised on farms for meat, fur, and as pets. The fur is very soft. Rabbits breed very rapidly, usually having 3 or 4 litters a year with 4 to 10 young in each litter. The gestation period is 31 or 32 days. Does pull hair from their bodies to build a nest a day or two before giving birth. Rabbits are born blind, hairless, and completely dependent on their mothers. They open their eyes at 10 to 11 days old and come out of the nest 19 or 20 days after birth.

In the wild, rabbits must rely on their ability to sense danger and outrun predators because they have little defense once caught or cornered. The rabbits have long ears so they can hear sounds from far away and very long and strong muscular hind legs so they can run fast. They also have a keen sense of smell, their nostrils twitch constantly to catch every scent in the air, and their whiskers serve as feelers. A variety of breeds live at the farm.

Terms:
Doe - female
Buck - male
Kindling - giving birth
Bunny - baby rabbit

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