Rabbits generally live in tunnels or burrows dug into banks or hedgerows called warrens; although sometimes these warrens can be out in open pasture and if the soil is light or sandy these burrows can go very deep; two to three metres have been known. They can breed all year round but the peak is between February and August. The female (or doe) has a gestation period of about 22 days giving birth to litters of 1-7 young with 3-5 litters a year. The young become sexually mature at about 4 weeks. Rabbits do a great deal of damage to railways and out buildings causing subsidence with their burrowing. They also damage crops; commercial and domestic. They can spread mixamatosis to domestic rabbits via the rabbit flea.

Control: Various traps and snares can be employed which must be placed correctly and regularly checked if to be successful. Ferrets, gas and shooting are other avenues in the armoury. Once control has been established physical barriers can be used such as wire netting or electric fences.

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