Allergen of the Month—Rabbit

Abstract

The family Leporidae contains fifty-four species of hares and rabbits. Hares are all within the genus Lepus, while rabbits are divided between eight genera. 1 Whitaker Jr., J.O. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf Inc, New York1996: 378-401 Google Scholar , 2 Bertin L. Larousse Encyclopedia of Animal Life. Hamlyn, London1967: 518-521 Google Scholar Hares are generally larger, and their young are born with fur and sighted, while rabbits are born blind and naked, needing to be nurtured and nursed. Most rabbits live in groups, in underground interconnected burrows, or warrens. An exception is the cottontail, Sylvilagus, which digs shallow depressions or occupies a deserted burrow of another animal. 2 Bertin L. Larousse Encyclopedia of Animal Life. Hamlyn, London1967: 518-521 Google Scholar , 3 Wikipedia. Rabbit. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit. Accessed April 19, 2014. Google Scholar Rabbits are profoundly fecund: three pairs were released in New South Wales, Australia, and within a few years there were hundreds of millions. [2] Bertin L. Larousse Encyclopedia of Animal Life. Hamlyn, London1967: 518-521 Google Scholar The European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, can produce up to six litters per year, each with up to a dozen young. [1] Whitaker Jr., J.O. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf Inc, New York1996: 378-401 Google Scholar