27th -28th At a caravan park in Northhampton. Rabbits are feeding as we arrive and are surprisingly tolerant as we set up the van. We have beautiful views of the countryside with tree bordering fields of green and yellow rapeseed , a splash of sunshine on a rainy day. Another caravan has a bird feeder up attracting blue tits, great tits, chaffinch, blackbirds and pigeons.
The next day begins with heavy rain. Rabbits of all sizes feed in the field and two do what rabbits do best.
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Introduced from the continent as a valuable source of meat and skin in the 2th century. Rabbits are sociable animals living in colonies in burrow systems known as warrens. They live in a higher archy with dominant males and females and subordinates. Most activity takes place at night. They stay close to the warren to graze on grasses and flowers. They have a good sense of smell and hearing to help them evade predators. Rabbits keep their fur clean with regular grooming with teeth, tongue and claws.
A rabbit may sometimes be seen rubbing the ground with its chin sent marking territory - called "chinning".
When danger threatens rabbits thump the ground with a hind leg to warn others.
In one year a rabbit can produce 20 offspring which can breed themselves in 4 months. However only a quarter of all rabbits grow to adult hood. The breeding season runs from January to August, 3-7 young are born in each brood . They leave the nest after 3 weeks and are weaned by 4 weeks.
