Rabbits are small mammals belonging to the family Leporidae, placing them in the order Lagomorpha alongside hares and pikas. They are often mistaken for rodents, but their unique dental structure includes a second, smaller set of incisors, known as peg teeth. This biological distinction and their adaptability have enabled them to spread across the globe. Understanding where rabbits live requires distinguishing between their original territories and the expansive ranges created by human introduction.
Native Range and Geographical Centers
The evolutionary history of rabbits traces back to two primary geographical centers where the greatest species diversity remains concentrated. In the Old World, the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) originated exclusively on the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing modern-day Spain, Portugal, and southwestern France. This small area represents the original boundary of the species before human activity began its global dispersal. All domesticated and most introduced wild populations descend from this localized ancient stock.
Across the Atlantic, a majority of the world’s rabbit species are native to North America, forming a distinct center of diversity. Genera like Sylvilagus, which includes cottontails and brush rabbits, dominate the continent’s woodlands, grasslands, and deserts. The existence of species like the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), the smallest North American lagomorph, further illustrates the rich speciation that occurred across this hemisphere. This dual heritage established the foundational distribution of rabbits.
Habitats and Environmental Adaptations
Rabbits occupy an impressive array of ecological niches, living in environments ranging from arid deserts to alpine tundra and dense forests. Their primary survival strategy is the construction of extensive underground burrow systems called warrens. These complexes can extend several meters deep, offering consistent temperatures and protection from predators and weather extremes. This behavior allows the European Rabbit to thrive in open grasslands and scrub where above-ground cover is limited.
The physiology of different species reflects specialized adaptations to their local climate. Desert-dwelling species, such as the Desert Cottontail, possess larger ears compared to their forest counterparts. This increased surface area facilitates thermoregulation by allowing heat to dissipate rapidly, managing extreme daytime temperatures. Conversely, rabbits in colder climates often have dense, insulating fur and exhibit seasonal color changes. For example, the Snowshoe Hare shifts from brown to white, providing camouflage against snow.
Rabbits are obligate herbivores, and their digestive system is tuned to extract nutrition from fibrous plant matter. They achieve this by producing soft, nutrient-rich pellets called caecotrophs, which they re-ingest. This process, known as coprophagy, allows them to process food twice, efficiently absorbing B vitamins and other nutrients synthesized by gut bacteria.
Globalized Populations: Introduced and Invasive Ranges
The modern global distribution of rabbits is largely the result of human-mediated dispersal, moving the European Rabbit far beyond its native range. Beginning with the Romans and accelerating with European colonization, Oryctolagus cuniculus was introduced to nearly every continent, establishing populations in over 800 islands and landmasses. These introduced populations often lack the predators and diseases present in their native Iberian environment, leading to explosive population growth.
The most dramatic example of this range expansion and ecological impact is Australia, where rabbits were deliberately released for sport hunting in the mid-19th century. The population spread across the continent’s interior, becoming one of the country’s most devastating invasive species. Their intense grazing has led to the loss of native plant species and contributed to soil erosion from burrowing, competing with native marsupials for food and habitat. Similar ecological damage has occurred in New Zealand, Chile, and many oceanic islands.