Rabbit Mating Habits

Rabbits are prolific breeders and have been known to produce large numbers of offspring in short periods of time. Because of this, there are significant problems with the overpopulation of domestic and wild rabbits throughout the world. For this reason, it is important that we become familiar with rabbit mating habits to better understand how, when, and how often a rabbit breeds.

Rabbit mating season begins during warm seasons to allow wild newborn bunnies the best chance of survival. During the spring and summer seasons, the increase in the amount of light available triggers a release of hormones in the rabbits that begins to alter the behavior of the rabbits. Male rabbits will begin to act more frantic and aggressive as the hormones activate their sexual urges. They will compete with other male rabbits for the attention of the female rabbits. Dominant rabbits are more successful in this competition and are usually able to mate with more females.

When a male rabbit has successfully seduced a female rabbit, the female will drop to the ground and raise her tail. Her mesh will mount her and bite her back hard. Mating lasts about twenty seconds, after which the male will release the female from her bite and probably emerge with a mouth full of fur.

Once pregnant, the rabbits’ gestation period lasts about a month. She will then give birth to three to eight blind and hairless bunnies. The rabbit is capable of giving birth several times in a year.

Remember, if you plan to breed your domesticated rabbit, there is already an overabundance of rabbits in the United States and by breeding more rabbits, you can decrease the chance that other rabbits will be able to find a home to live in.