Order Lagomorpha

Order Lagomorpha

by Nathan Wheelock

​Order Lagomorpha

​Precocial vs altricial

• ​Young born blind, furless and helpless are altricial.

• ​Young born fully formed and able to run around at birth are precocial.

• ​Whats an example of both?

​Lagomorphs

​The order consists of 2 families and 109 species. They are rabbits, hares and pikas. They are NOT rodents.

​**They differ from rodents on several things. One, unlike rodents who have 2 upper incisora, lagomorphs have 4. Unlike rodents, they dont have foot pads and bottoms of feet are covered in hair. Unlike rodents who are mostly omnivores, lagomorphs are completley herbivorous.

Multiple Choice

Lagomorphs like this rabbit are rodents.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How many species are in the order Lagomorpha?

• 4,200

• 1,200

• 2,000

• 109

Multiple Choice

What thing specific to lagomorphs are being shown?

• skull

• the 4 upper incisors

• molars

• mandible

​Rabbit Breeds

​Depending on who you ask, there is between 60 and 100 different breeds of rabbits. ALL domestic breeds are from the still living European wild rabbit.

​ Domestic rabbits are used for fur, meat and companionship (ie: pets ).

Multiple Choice

All domestic rabbit breeds are descended fom the

• European wild hare

• European wild rabbit

• pika

• spotted squirrel

Multiple Choice

Which of the below is NOT what rabbits were domesticated for.

• meat

• fur

• pets

• work

​Angora rabbit

​ What do you think the angora rabbit was bred for?

​Dutch rabbit

​Once the most popular breed in the world, replaced by dwarf breeds. Still in the top 10. Originally bred for meat, now for pets.

​ What can you identify about the Dutch rabbit that makes it unique from other breeds?

​English lop

​What stands out in this breed?

​There is a mini version as well.

​Flemish giant

​Bred for meat and is worlds largest breed.

​

​Average weight is 15 pounds though some hit 22-25.

​Longest Flemish giant is 4'3".

​ Known for easy handling and docile temperament has made them a popular pet breed as well.

​Lionhead

​This breed is known for soft silky fur and a mane around its head.

​Mini rex

​Developed from the rex though weighing in less at 4 pounds, both rexes are known for glorious plush fur.

​ An American breed and one of the most recent.

​Netherland dwarf

​Smallest breed known size ( between 1.5 and 2.3 pounds) as well as its young-looking appearance. Very popular pet and show breed.

​Pika

​

​Pikas live only in North America and central Asia. Either a rock living species or burrowing species.

​All pikas store food in hay piles for winter as they do not hibernate.

​Pika

​Short video with pika calling. It is actually defending its territory. The rock species are solitary and agressiveley defend territory. Their burrow kin live in groups.

​Lil pika

​A species from central China thought to be extinct until arecent discovery. Looks like a teddy bear.

​Pygmy Rabbit

• ​FINALLY! Something cool found here in the US :).

• ​Smallest species in the world.

• ​Highly endangered.

• ​A species NOT a BREED.

​Vocabulary terms

• ​Male rabbits are bucks

• ​Female rabbits are does

• ​Baby rabbits are kittens or kits

• ​Kits are born blind, no fur and unable to regulate their temperature.

​Hares

​Called jackrabbits here in the US.

​Babies are known as leverts, and are born with eyes open, fur and able to run.

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• pygmy rabbit

• Netherland dwarf

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• Rex

• Dutch

• Angora

• Flemish giant

Multiple Choice

Breed

• Mini rex

• Angora

• English lop

• Netherland dwarf

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• mini rex

• Dutch

• Flemish giant

• Angora

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• Angora

• English lop

• lionhead

• Netherland dwarf

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• English lop

• Angora

• Dutch

• Pygmy rabbit

Multiple Choice

Breed?

• Netherland dwarf

• Flemish giant

• Angora

• Lop

Multiple Choice

Species?

• Dutch

• Pygmy rabbit

• Pika

• Netherland dwarf

Multiple Choice

Species?

• Pygmy rabbit

• Pika

• Netherland dwarf