Status: Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are declared pests under the Biosecurity Regulations 2022.
Prohibited dealings:
The Tasmanian Animal Biosecurity Manual contains more information about importing rabbits into Tasmania.
The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an introduced pest species that thrives in Tasmanian conditions. Rabbits are recognised as one of Australia's most widespread and destructive environmental and agricultural pests. European rabbits can sometimes be confused with hares, which are noticeably larger and have longer hind legs than rabbits. Hares also have longer ears with characteristic black markings.
Rabbit in garden
Photo: Lynn Broos
Environmental impacts
The environmental impacts of wild rabbits include:
competition with native species for food and shelter
changing native plant community composition
degrading land and promoting weeds
the extinction of several small (up to 5.5 kg) ground-dwelling mammals of Australia's arid lands
the decline in numbers of many native plants and animals
Competition with native animal species and land degradation by feral rabbits is listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
History
The First Fleet brought domestic European rabbits to Australia. By 1910, they had covered most of their current range.
The first recorded sighting of a feral rabbit in Tasmania was reported in 1827!
Today, feral rabbits can be found across most of Australia, except in some of the northern most areas.
Rabbit biology and behaviour
Rabbits are prolific breeders, producing many large litters per year. They have a short gestation period and reach sexual maturity very quickly. A pair of rabbits can become over 180 rabbits in just 18 months.
Rabbits may breed at any time of the year. This is often triggered by active grass growth following rain.
Rabbit numbers fluctuate according to seasonal conditions. Breeding success relates to the availability of feed.
In unfavourable conditions, rabbits can still produce 1 to 2 litters per year.
Rabbits have a hierarchy; dominant males mate with dominant females.
Non dominant rabbits often disperse to seek alternative feeding areas and establish other warrens.
Rabbits are naturally wary of new elements in their environment, so free- feeding is an essential part of baiting programs.
Higher rates of survival of young occurs when rabbits have safe harbours. Safe harbours include low vegetation, burrows and warrens.
Additional resources
PestSmart is a toolkit of information on best-practice management for rabbits. The ‘Glovebox Guide for Managing Rabbits’ provides current and general information on best practise rabbit management.
Rabbit Scan is a free resource for landholders, Landcare groups, community groups, local councils, professional pest controllers and biosecurity groups.
Rabbit Free Australia promotes the eradication of wild rabbits from Australia. This website has information relating to the peri-urban control of rabbits.
Threat abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits. An Australia wide plan produced by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Rabbit Calicivirus Testing is run by CSIRO, who provide kits to people willing to take samples of deceased rabbits. Testing allows Biosecurity Tasmania to gain a greater understanding of the effects of calicivirus at a landscape level.