Q&A

How old can rabbits mate?

How old can rabbits mate?

Some individual rabbits within a breed will develop more rapidly than others. Generally, the smaller breeds can be mated when the bucks and does are 4 to 5 months old, the medium breeds at 5 to 6 months, and the larger breeds at 9 to 12 months. Mate does when they reach maturity.

Do rabbits have to be the same age to mate?

Age to Breed Different breeds of rabbits reach sexual maturity at different ages. The smaller breeds become sexually mature earlier than the larger breeds. Small breeds (such as the Polish) can be bred at 4 to 5 months of age.

Can a 5 year old rabbit get pregnant?

Most breeds of rabbits reach sexual maturity between three and six months of age. Female rabbits can conceive as early as 12 weeks of age, though this is generally not recommended for the health and safety of the rabbit. If your rabbit is older than two to three years of age, she may be too old to conceive.

Why do rabbits fall over after mating?

A male rabbit falls off after mating because of a systematic tensing and relaxing of his muscles. During mating, the bucks muscles get progressively tenser, and upon successfully mating all of those muscles clench up completely and then relax completely causing the rabbit to fall off.

Can a rabbit mate with a cat?

Erwin David of Studio City, Calif., it is impossible for a cat to impregnate a rabbit. Enclosed you will find a picture of a “cabbit,” the name given to the offspring of a female rabbit that was impregnated by a cat. As you can see, Abby, the front half looks like a cat, and the hindquarters look like a rabbit.

Do rabbits make noise when mating?

If a rabbit is honking, grunting, and circling, it’s a sign that the mating dance has begun. Both males and females make these noises. If your rabbits have been neutered, they may honk and grunt out of general excitement, like if they see you coming with a treat. They may also do it to get your attention.

Can a rabbit breed with a hare?

No. Rabbits and hares are genetically incompatible. There is domestic breed of rabbit called a Belgian Hare , but this is a misnomer — it is a rabbit, not a hare. Fun fact: domestic rabbits and wild American rabbits (cottontails) are also genetically incompatible.

Are rabbbits and hares in the same species?

However, technically, a bunny is a baby rabbit, and a hare is not quite the same thing as a rabbit. In fact, hares are a different species entirely from rabbits. Both rabbits and hares come from the same general animal family, but they are about as closely related as a sheep is to a goat.

How many babies do hares have?

Hares can have up to eight babies, called leverets. The leverets stay within the mother’s home range until they can survive on their own. There is little information on the lifespan of Arctic hares . Some anecdotal evidence suggests they live three to five years in the wild.

Can hares be pets?

Hares have not been domesticated, while rabbits are raised for food and kept as house pets. The domestic pet known as the ” Belgian Hare ” is a rabbit that has been selectively bred to resemble a hare. Hares have jointed, or kinetic, skulls, unique among mammals.