Rabbits
Rabbits are a serious invasive pest in Australia, causing millions of dollars in damage to crops and the natural environment. The dispersal of the rabbit in Australia was the fastest of any invasive mammal in the world.
Feral rabbits vary in colour but typically have grey-brown fur with a white-grey belly, long ears, long hind legs, short front legs and a short fluffy tail. Slightly protruding eyes on the sides of their head give them panoramic vision which helps them detect predators. Adult rabbits weigh up to 2.3 kg and can be up to 45 cm long.
Rabbits are herbivores and can graze plants to ground level, eating up to a third of their body weight daily. If their food sources have an adequate moisture content, they do not require access to water.
Wild rabbits form territorial groups, comprising 1-3 males and 7-10 females, led by a dominant pair. Females can breed all year round, starting from 3 months old. They can have 5 or more litters in a year, with up to 7 kittens each time. A single pair of rabbits can increase to 184 individuals within 18 months.
Rabbits depend on warrens or other shelter, are most active from dusk until dawn, and are highly susceptible to predators.
Where are rabbits found?
Rabbits are widely distributed across Australia and occur in a large variety of habitats. They prefer low vegetation that has refuge such as scrub, bushes or fallen logs. Rabbits build large warrens up to 3 m deep and 45 m long that provide cover and protection both from predators above ground, as well as extremes in temperature, helping them survive hot Australian summers. In areas of abundant surface cover, they may live predominantly above the ground.
What are the impacts of rabbits?
Rabbits graze on native vegetation, selectively feeding on certain species of plants at critical stages of their development such as at seeding and seedling establishment. They directly compete with native wildlife for food and shelter and their digging leads to a loss of vegetation cover which then results in slope instability and soil erosion. There are at least 304 Australian threatened flora and fauna species that have been adversely affected by competition and land degradation by rabbits. Even at one rabbit per hectare, rabbits are able to prevent the regeneration of some of our most vulnerable flora species.
Rabbits grazing emerging crops and pastures can result in yield losses of up to 100%. Rabbits increase competition for feed with livestock, potentially affecting the carrying capacity on a property. This can lead to lower weight gain, lower wool production, reduced births and a higher mortality rate during drought. As rabbits graze more closely to the ground than livestock, they can potentially eliminate perennial grasses from established pastures. Pastures are then likely to be invaded by broadleaf weeds and annual grasses, making them less suitable for livestock production. Rabbits cost Australian agriculture over $200 million in production losses each year.
Rabbits can damage lawns, gardens, golf courses, sports grounds and regional parkland reserves. They can undermine buildings, garages, and sheds, causing conflict in urban areas. Rabbits can also spread disease to humans and animals.
What are my responsibilities as a landholder?
Landholders are responsible for the control of rabbits on their properties under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
In the Murraylands and Riverland region, rabbits are prohibited from being:
Moved
Sold
Kept as a pet*
Released
*Domestic rabbits (pet store specialty breeds) are able to be kept as pets; however, they are prohibited from being released.
How can rabbits be controlled?
Managing rabbits effectively takes more than one method and more than one season. No single approach works on its own, and rabbit populations can quickly bounce back if control is not maintained. The best results come from using a combination of methods such as baiting, warren fumigation, warren destruction and follow up monitoring to prevent repopulation.
For more on these control options, visit our rabbit control toolbox.
How can the landscape board support landholders?
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board can provide expert advice, bait layers, baits, biocontrol and fumigation devices to landholders in the region. Contact your local district officer to find out more.
