Lapins

Lapins is the French term for rabbits and is sometimes used in English writing to refer to the animals as a group. Rabbits are small to medium-sized mammals in the family Leporidae, order Lagomorpha. They differ from hares in several traits: rabbits typically live in burrows or dense cover, have shorter limbs, and give birth to altricial young that require parental care; hares usually nest above ground and produce precocial young. Rabbits have soft fur, long ears, and strong incisors that continuously grow; they also possess a pair of small peg-like incisors behind the front upper teeth.

Distribution and habitat: Wild rabbits are native to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia and have been introduced worldwide. They inhabit meadows, grasslands, wood edges, and agricultural areas, often living in warrens or thickets.

Behavior and reproduction: Rabbits are social and often form loose colonies. They have a high reproductive rate; gestation lasts about a month, and litters can contain several young. Kits are born naked and helpless, but develop quickly. A high-fiber diet of grasses and leafy greens is essential for digestion.

Domestication and human use: The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was domesticated in Europe for meat, fur, and companionship. Today domestic rabbits range from small to large breeds and require appropriate housing, exercise, and diet. Common health concerns include dental problems and digestive disorders.

Conservation: Wild rabbit populations have declined in some regions due to habitat loss, predation, and disease; efforts in some areas focus on habitat restoration and disease management.