Warrens

A warren is a network of interconnected burrows and underground galleries used by social burrowing mammals, most notably European rabbits. The term can also describe similar tunnel complexes created by other species, but it is most closely associated with rabbit colonies.

Structure and function

Warrens typically feature multiple entrances and exits that connect to a system of tunnels, chambers for nesting, and storage or feeding areas. They provide shelter from weather and predators, allow rapid movement within the colony, and enable social living and shared care of young. Tunnels are often shallow enough to be accessed from the surface and can vary in depth depending on soil, moisture, and temperature.

Ecology and behavior

Rabbit warrens support large social groups with coordinated breeding and foraging. The complex arrangement helps regulate nest microclimates, reduces exposure to predation, and permits communal defense. Burrow systems may expand over time as populations grow, sometimes creating hundreds of entrances within a single warren. The structure also exposes the ecosystem to soil disturbance and can influence plant communities through grazing and denning activity.

Habitat, distribution, and impact

Warrens are most common in grasslands, heathlands, vineyards, and farmlands found in the native range of the European rabbit and in introduced populations worldwide. They can affect agriculture by damaging pasture and irrigation systems, and their burrowing can alter soil composition and drainage. Management approaches vary from habitat modification and fencing to legal protections, depending on local conservation goals and land use priorities. Conserving warrens can be important for maintaining native rabbit populations and the ecological communities that depend on them.