Rabbits have long hind legs and short front legs. Animal biology AppearanceĮuropean rabbits are small mammals that belong to the family Leporidae, which also includes hares. This includes creeks, riverbanks, erosion gullies and rocky outcrops. Rabbit densities are greatest in non-arable rough country. The invasion of rabbits in Australia was the fastest of any colonising mammal in the world. The rate of advance varied from 10 to 15 kilometres per year in wet forested country to over 100 kilometres per year in the rangelands. By 1879, the South Australian and Victorian infestations had merged to cover an area from Spencer Gulf to north-eastern Victoria.īy the 1920s, rabbits had colonised most of the southern half of Australia and were present in extremely high numbers. Just seven years after their release, some 14,253 rabbits had been shot on Barwon Park.īy 1875, rabbits were well established in the western districts of Victoria, around Sydney and at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. That is until 1859, when approximately seven wild rabbits were released at Barwon Park near Geelong.

Some of these were released and some escaped, but none were able to establish wild populations. Various domestic breeds of rabbits were brought to Australian during early European settlement. Read more about the classification of invasive animals in Victoria.

Rabbits are an established pest animal in the state of Victoria.

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