Rabbits As Pets In Australia

Position the hutch so it is also protected from weather on a verandah or deck.

Rabbits as pets in australia. Unfortunately pet rabbits are just as susceptible to them. 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. Because they have become invasive in australia pet rabbits are banned in the state of queensland. Rabbits are social and curious animals who can make fantastic pets.

The lagamorph family includes all rabbits including cottontails and the closely related hare. The wild rabbit has since spread over most of australia. They have been introduced into australia to control the wild rabbit population. This should be insect mosquito proof and protect rabbits from extreme weather.

Here are some guidelines we found for nsw as an example. 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. It s best to check with your council or rspca to see what specific guidelines there are on keeping these quirky little creatures. 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.

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. These diseases are generally fatal for pet rabbits. Children often refer to them affectionately as bunnies.

Avoid the impulse to get a bunny for easter. There may be over 400 million wild rabbits in australia today. But contrary to popular belief they are not an easy first pet for a child. When housed outside they need a large hutch which is safe from predators cats dogs foxes.

Everywhere else in australia apart from qld does allow domestic rabbit breeds to be kept as pets. Small colonies of domestic rabbit varieties have established on islands where predators are absent. 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.