The question of whether a rabbit lives underground is complicated by the sheer diversity within the family of long-eared mammals. Different species adopt fundamentally different survival strategies. Some species construct elaborate subterranean systems for protection and social life, while others live entirely on the surface. Understanding the habitat requires distinguishing between the animal groups and their adaptations for safety and breeding.
Defining the Habitats: Rabbit vs. Hare
The difference in living arrangements lies in the distinction between true rabbits and hares. True rabbits, such as the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), are the primary builders of complex underground homes. They are social animals that seek refuge in dense cover and escape danger by retreating into the earth.
Hares never dig burrows, relying instead on speed and camouflage in open habitats like prairies and meadows. Their longer legs and larger size are adaptations for sprinting, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour to outrun predators. Most North American cottontail rabbits, while genetically true rabbits, do not construct extensive burrow systems; they typically use shallow depressions or burrows dug by other animals.
Architecture and Purpose of the Warren
The European Rabbit’s subterranean home, known as a warren, is a highly complex structure that serves as a community center. These networks are interconnected systems of tunnels, chambers, and multiple exits. An established warren can feature dozens of entrances, which act as escape routes from surface threats.
The underground construction provides a stable microclimate, offering protection from temperature extremes. Specialized areas inside the warren include nesting chambers lined with fur for raising young. Since the young are born blind and helpless, they require a secure, insulated environment. The warren also facilitates the species’ social structure, housing colonies that can range from two to ten individuals focused around a dominant male and territorial females.
The Above-Ground Lifestyle
Species that do not burrow, such as hares and most cottontail rabbits, rely on surface-level nests and alternative defensive strategies. These animals create a shallow depression in the ground called a “form,” often situated in dense vegetation or under a brush pile. The form is a simple scrape that uses surrounding cover for concealment, not a deep shelter.
Safety for these species is achieved through immobility and camouflage; they often freeze to blend into their environment. Their young, called leverets, are born fully furred and with their eyes open, ready to hop away shortly after birth. This reflects their reliance on immediate mobility rather than a sheltered nursery. Domestic rabbits, descended from the European Rabbit, require secure, covered above-ground housing large enough for running, jumping, and multiple hiding spots.