The male rabbit is called a buck. The female is called a doe. The young are called kittens, and as with baby cats, their eyes open at about 10 days of age, their ears at about 12 days. The smallest breed is the Netherland Dwarf Rabbit which weighs just about 1 Kg. when fully grown, and one of the largest is the Flemish Giant Rabbit which weighs in at about 8 Kgs. - twice the size of the average cat.

Rabbits are vegetarians, and have a great ability to digest fibre that the rest of us cannot. To do this they digest the food twice, eating their own droppings - a vice in other animals but normal in the rabbit.

Rabbits make wonderful companions -- they are bright, affectionate, inquisitive, gentle, and playful. Being social creatures, they enjoy the company of people, rabbits, and other animals. Traditionally, rabbits have been kept in a hutch in the garden, where they tend to be neglected during cold weather or when the novelty wears off.

Nowadays, more and more people keep their rabbits in the house to protect them from predators and because it is easier to meet their physical and social needs in this way.

With a little training, rabbits can learn to use a litter tray and become a delightful addition to your household. If you cannot bring your rabbit indoors, we recommend you keep the cage in a shed, disused garage or other outdoor building to keep your rabbit safe, especially during the night.