Flemish Giant Rabbit: Oryctolagus cuniculus
In the Wild
Description:
 Size:
o One of the largest breeds of domestic rabbits
o Can grow up to 2.5 feet in length
 Weight:
o 15 pounds on average
o Male: up to 22 pounds
o Female: up to 20 pounds
 Come in a variety of colors, including gray, white, black and light brown
 Dimorphism:
o Males have broader heads
o Females have a dewlap (large fold of skin under their chin) which is used to
warm their young
Habitat and Range:
 Popular domestic breed found all over the world
o Not a wild species
o Found as a domestic pet and on farms
 Wild rabbits (like the Eastern Cottontail Rabbits, native to Maryland) prefer meadows,
brushy areas, thickets, and backyards
 Selective breeding in Europe and North America of the wild Patagonian rabbit produced
the Flemish Giant
 Identified as being bred in Belgium as early as the 16th century and was imported first to
America in the early 1890s
Diet:
 Diet comprised mostly of fresh hay, fruit, vegetables and commercially available pelletstyle food
 Wild rabbits prefer vegetation, including grasses, clover, vegetable crops and
blackberries. In the winter, they will eat twigs and bark from young trees.
Adaptations:
 Have many of the adaptations of wild rabbits
o Large ears and eyes would help them detect predators in the wild
o Powerful hind legs would aid in escaping from predators
o Wild rabbits will jump sideways to break their scent trail to evade predators
Lifespan:
 Typically live 8 to 10 years
02/12/2013
Flemish Giant Rabbit: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Ecosystem relationships:
 Wild rabbits serve as an important food source for a variety of predators, including
hawks, owls, foxes, weasels and coyotes
Reproduction:
 Wild rabbits such as the Eastern Cottontail, native to Maryland:
o Capable of mating at 2 months of age
o Males will mate with as many females as possible from February to September
o Females will have 3 or 4 litters each year
o Gestation period of about a month
o Average litter size is 3 to 4 rabbits
o Females often mate again right after giving birth
o Young leave the female after about 5 weeks
 Flemish Giant Rabbits:
o American Rabbit Breeders’ Association recommends breeding Flemish Giants at
about 9 months of age
o Large litters of 5 to 12 rabbits
o Gestation period of about a month
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 Known as the “gentle giant” for their docile and gentle nature
 Can be litter box trained
 Were originally bred for meat and fur and have transitioned into a popular pet and show
breed
Conservation Status and Threats:
 They are considered a stable domestic population. However, it is important to conserve
the habitats of wild rabbits since they are such an important food source for many other
animals.
At the Zoo


Emily (female) was born in 2011 and purchased from a breeder
Andre (male) was born in 2012 and was also purchased from a breeder
What We Can Do

Do your research before buying a pet
o Make sure you are purchasing from a reliable breeder for a healthy pet – rabbits
need to stay with their mothers until 8 weeks of age in order to develop a
healthy immune system
02/12/2013
Flemish Giant Rabbit: Oryctolagus cuniculus
o Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into – some pets require a lot
of time and money to be properly cared for
References:
 http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/mammals/flemish-giant-rabbit/
 http://www.nffgrb.net/Articles/Origins.htm - National Federation of Flemish Giant
Rabbit Breeders
 http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/Rabbit_-_Flemish_Giant.htm
 http://www.arba.net/breeds.htm#cavies – American Rabbit Breeders Association
 http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Habitat/WildAcres/pdfs/Habichat27.pdf
02/12/2013