‘Celebrating Cornwall's Mammals from dormice to dolphins!'
The Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
The Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus is thought to be widespread throughout
Cornwall and present on most of the islands of the Isles of Scilly. For this reason
people don't think it important to record them as a species. Therefore the
distribution map for the Rabbit in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly doesn't
represent the true distribution of this species.
Why we need to record rabbits
Although the Rabbit may be widespread and numerous it still has an important
role to play in the ecology of Cornwall and it is important to record them for
the following reasons:
1.Food chain. The Rabbit is a source of food for a variety of predators
including birds of prey, Stoats, Weasels, Badgers and Foxes.
2.Grazing. The Rabbit plays a key role in the maintenance of the ecological
quality and diversity of certain habitats through grazing and burrowing. The
bare ground and nutrient poor heavily rabbit grazed areas of Upton Towans
provides suitable areas for rare bryophytes (Liverworts), butterflies, such as the
Silver-studded blue butterfly and ants. Reptiles also like to bask in the open
grazed areas.
The Rabbit can reach areas of land that domestic stock, such as cows and
sheep, cannot reach e.g the coastal grassland of the Lizard with it's almost lawn
like grass would not be so if it wasn't for the grazing by Rabbits.
In the early 1950's Myxomatosis wiped out 99% of the Rabbit population in
Britain. For the above reasons (their role in the food chain and grazing) a future
crash in populations could have a devastating effect. By recording when and
where we see them we can keep an eye on their population levels and
distributions and flag up potential problems and threats to their numbers in the
future.
Rabbit facts
· A male Rabbit is called as a buck; the female is called a doe, baby Rabbits
are known as kittens.
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· The Rabbit was introduced to Britain in the 12 century by the Romans as a
supply of food and fur.
· A female Rabbit can produce between 3-7 young a month during the
breeding season, which can last from January through to August!
· Rabbits are active both night and day.
The Brown Hare Lepus europaeus in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
As with the Rabbit, there are few records for the Brown Hare in Cornwall and
they are absent from the Isles of Scilly. It is known that the species is widespread throughout lowland England, despite a decline in numbers since the
1900's. The current status of the Brown Hare in Cornwall is not clear. The
species is thought to exist in small isolated populations, but the introduction of
animals for hare coursing makes calculation of population densities quite a
task!
Why we need to record Brown Hares
To try and establish more information about the population densities and
distribution of the Brown Hare in Cornwall, we desperately need you to let us
know where and when you have seen these elusive creatures!
Brown Hare facts
· Baby Brown Hares are known as leverets.
· The origin of the Brown Hare in Britain is uncertain but it was around
before the Romans.
· Brown Hares can run at up to 70kph (45mph)!
· The Brown Hare is generally a solitary animal.
· The Brown Hare doesn't live in a burrow, but in a shallow depression in
the ground called a "form".
· The Brown Hare is surrounded in folklore and has more regional names
than any other British mammal.
· The Brown Hare is widespread through central and Western Europe.
· There are two species of Hare in Britain, the Brown Hare Lepus
europaeus and the Mountain Hare Lepus timidus, the latter is native but
only found in Ireland, Scotland and North England.
· Other common names for the Brown Hare in Cornwall include
"scavernick" and "poor wat".
To report a Rabbit or Hare record and for any enquiries, please contact:
Mammals Project Co-ordinator, ERCCIS, Five Acres, Allet, Truro, TR4 9DJ.
Tel: 01872 240777
E-mail: [email protected]
Environmental Records Centre
For Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
‘Celebrating Cornwall’s Mammals - from dormice to dolphins!’
An Identification Guide to Rabbits and Brown Hares
The Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
Identification:
Size: head-body 340-500mm, tail 40-80mm.
Colour: grey/brown on top, white belly.
Ears: shorter than head length, brown tips.
Eyes: brown.
Tail: black/brown on top, white underneath.
Carried upright against body when running.
Legs: long legs and long hind feet,
not as long and slender as the legs of
the Brown Hare.
Rabbit (not to scale)
Tracks and signs:
Droppings: 10mm diameter, black/brown in colour,
found particularly on mounds to mark scent.
Rabbit droppings (to scale)
Burrows: 100-500mm diameter, found on slopes and in
well-drained areas. Collective name for burrows: warren.
Scrapes: paw scrapes and shallow holes 70-120mm diameter made when looking for roots. Droppings usually found next
to these.
Other: mainly nocturnal, will come out during the day if
undisturbed.
Rabbits are found anywhere where they can burrow, including
sand dunes, hedges and railway banks.
Rabbit burrow (not to scale)
Illustrations by Jenny King
Environmental Records
Centre for Cornwall
and the Isles of Scilly
‘Celebrating Cornwall’s Mammals - from dormice to dolphins!’
An Identification Guide to Rabbits and Brown Hares
The Brown Hare Lepus europaeus
Identification:
Size: head-body 520-700mm, tail 70-130mm.
Colour: dense fur, darker brown on top,
orange/brown flanks.
Ears: almost twice the length of the head,
black tips.
Eyes: yellow/golden.
Tail: black on top, white below. Carried
away from body when running.
Legs: powerful, long and slender. Has a
loping gate.
Brown Hare (not to scale)
Tracks and signs:
Droppings: 15-20mm diameter, colour: light brown in winter,
darker, almost black in summer.
Brown Hare droppings (to scale)
Forms: the Brown Hare does not dig burrows, instead it takes
cover in depressions in the ground amongst long grass, known as a form.
Other: Mainly nocturnal, moderately active by day. Hares prefer exposed low ground such as open
grassland. Hares have acute senses which aid them to avoid predators; they can run at up to 45mph.
Illustrations by Jenny King
Environmental Records
Centre for Cornwall
and the Isles of Scilly