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European Common Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

The European Common Rabbit is the source of all of the domesticated species of rabbit kept as pets today. They were introduced to Britain by the romans and are common throughout the British Isles.

To much of the farming industry, wild rabbits are considered a pest, in the 1950's a disease called myxamatosis was introduced into the wild population, causing a significant reduction in numbers. I remember as a child occasionally coming across animals disfigured by the rather horrible syptoms of myxamatosis.

In the last twenty years immunity has developed in the wild population and so the numbers have recovered.

Hopefully, a more wildlife friendly approach to land management will be adopted in future.