Rabbits As Pets In Australia
This should be insect mosquito proof and protect rabbits from extreme weather.
Rabbits as pets in australia. Small colonies of domestic rabbit varieties have established on islands where predators are absent. But contrary to popular belief they are not an easy first pet for a child. Home rodents as pets rabbits rabbits are small rodent like mammals called lagamorphs are found either natively or introduced on all continents and many small islands around the world. Wild rabbits were originally imported into australia in 1859 and released for hunting purposes in victoria.
Rabbits are vulnerable to a number of health problems in particular diseases such as myxomatosis and calicivirus. The association between rabbits and easter means rabbits are often impulsively acquired as pets around the easter holiday. Rspca australia the easter bunny may have been and gone but we still have rabbits on the mind. Children often refer to them affectionately as bunnies.
These diseases are generally fatal for pet rabbits. Because they have become invasive in australia pet rabbits are banned in the state of queensland. Unfortunately many of these bunnies end up neglected or given up for adoption since those cute little bunnies grow up into rabbits that need as much attention and care as a dog. Unfortunately pet rabbits are just as susceptible to them.
Everywhere else in australia apart from qld does allow domestic rabbit breeds to be kept as pets. Position the hutch so it is also protected from weather on a verandah or deck. Rabbits can be litter box trained and come when called but they need exercise and can damage a house that is not rabbit proof unwanted rabbits end up in animal shelters especially after the easter season. Here are some guidelines we found for nsw as an example.
The lagamorph family includes all rabbits including cottontails and the closely related hare. Avoid the impulse to get a bunny for easter. The wild rabbit is now considered to be a pest in australia and in states such as queensland keeping a rabbit as a domestic pet is illegal although rabbits may be kept as pets in new south wales and victoria. It s best to check with your council or rspca to see what specific guidelines there are on keeping these quirky little creatures.
Rabbits need protection from predators at all times. They have been introduced into australia to control the wild rabbit population. Rabbits are social and curious animals who can make fantastic pets.