Domestic European Rabbit

There are two domestic rabbits who live at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. Keep reading to learn more about their history and species!

Rabbit Fun Facts

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that need affections and can become wonderful companions.

Because most rabbits groom themselves, they get fur balls just as cats do. Unlike cats, however, rabbits cannot vomit and excessive hair can be fatal.

They inhabit sandy, hilly terrain with shrubs and woody plants.
Domestic rabbits live in colonies that occupy large burrows with many chambers and entrances.
Rabbits will warn each other of danger by thumping their hind limbs on the ground.
Like rodents, rabbits have ever growing front teeth, incisors that need to be worn down constantly.
Rabbits have an unusual digestive system. They make two types of poop. One type is round and dry and these are left in the litterbox. The other poop is soft and looks like a very small bunch of shiny grapes. These are called cecotrophs and are eaten by the rabbit. This allows food to be fully digested.
Wild rabbits –their ancestors -- are often chased by predators, so they have very large ears for excellent hearing, large back feet for moving fast, and eyes on the sides of their heads so they can better see what is behind them – peripheral vision. They move in a zig zag pattern to confuse predators
Because they are a prey animal, they generally don’t enjoy being picked up.
They eat hay, green leafy vegetables and an occasional treat such as carrot or fruit

Ricochet is Hazel's brother. Both Ricochet and Hazel were donated to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo by a private citizen.

Hazel is Ricochet's sister. Both Hazel and Ricochet were donated to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo by a private citizen.