Rabbits usually reach sexual maturity after just a few months of life, so you should not be surprised by the sudden arrival of a litter of them. In contrast to other mammals, the rabbit does not show specific stages of heat, so it can reproduce at any time of the year. How is the Rabbit Gestation? In the article below we will explain it to you.
The Gestation of the Rabbit
If there is evidence of any animal that reproduces very easily, it is the rabbit. What can be expected from that animal whose breeding season extends throughout the year and whose litters can number from four to a dozen offspring. If their reproduction was a preconceived plan, they must be responsible for the care of the mother and the kits, so they must be previously assured of a home in which they are loved and that meets the best conditions for each of said offspring.
The gestation period of a rabbit is just one month and as soon as the pups are out, it will be ready to get pregnant again. The female rabbits reach their sexual maturity at 4 months of existence and the male achieves it at approximately 5. Ovulation in them differs a lot from that of other animals, since it is usually induced during copulation, that is, they produce their ovules at mounting time.
How to know if a rabbit is pregnant?
It is not easy to show it, in fact, at first glance it is almost impossible. The embryos are extremely tiny and the mother must be palpated with extreme care to confirm this. A veterinarian usually passes the palm of his open hand over the belly of the animal, from top to bottom, in search of perceiving some modest lumps, which with great probability will become future rabbits.
Symptom
- The behavior of the rabbit becomes surly
- He usually drinks a lot of water.
- The breasts tend to swell.
- They usually pluck hair from their belly, leaving themselves bald, while preparing the nest for their babies.
How to take care of it?
Every rabbit loves its routine, so no changes to its diet or daily habits are required. She should be treated as if nothing new was happening so as not to make her nervous.
How to prepare the nest?
With great certainty there is not much to do, since the mother will be responsible for choosing the place that she likes the most and the material with which to build it. There's a good chance you'll never see your socks, paper, or anything else the mother rabbit thinks she might find useful. She allows her to do it and you can even make it easy for her.
On the other hand, and if you wish, you can help him by buying a prefabricated nest, although there is no guarantee that he will accept it. Such nests can be purchased at specialized stores.
How to act during childbirth?
After about thirty days of mating, the time comes for the doe to give birth. What matters most is not letting him get stressed. She knows very well what needs to be done. They usually give birth at night when everything is calmer. Only in the event that something does not turn out well is that we will be forced to intervene, and if so, it is best to notify a veterinarian who is an expert in exotic animals.
All the kits that have been born alive must remain in the nest. If there is one outside, it must be placed with all the others. If one of them is born already dead, remove it gradually. It is usually recommended to rub your hands with hay every time you approach them and that your movements are slow and smooth, with which you will ensure that the rabbit remains calm.
Cannibalism
Rabbits, by their very nature, are creatures that have an infinity of predators. If the rabbit, for whatever reason, is nervous, she can come to believe that her young are going to be attacked, so she decides to act in the face of potential danger. As in situations in which it does not receive food for a certain time, it usually eats its young.
Rabbit feeding
The mother's milk is the only thing that her young will feed until almost day 18. Throughout the lactation period, the doe can be given a larger amount of feed than usual. The parent will allow them to nurse twice each day: one in the morning and another in the evening. If they do not cry and their skin stays pink and warm, it is a sign that they are receiving food. You should not worry if you notice that the mother does not approach them throughout the rest of the day. It is totally normal behavior.
After the eighteenth day they can be supplied with hay and special feed for this type of offspring. More vegetables should not be given, since they can only start eating them from the third or fourth month. Every time they reach five weeks of existence, weaning takes place. It is, most likely, the mother who will decide when they will be ready enough to feed only on hay and feed.
What to do if they are orphans?
Faced with a situation as unfortunate as this, you should not lose your calm. Now, the life of these tiny creatures is under your tutelage, so you must ensure that they do not leave the nest built by the mother, since they will need the warmth that it provides.
It is not required that you put anything that shelters them to give them more heat; the mother does not usually get on top of them as other mammals usually do. By means of a syringe you can supply them with special milk for cats. When you are going to take them, you must do it slowly and with great care. Despite this, the probability that they will survive is slim. You should not blame yourself if this happens.
Psychological pregnancy
A rabbit with a psychological pregnancy usually behaves as if she were pregnant: she sheds her hair, begins to build the nest, etc. It is recommended not to do anything until the rabbit manages to overcome this condition. In the event that the rabbit is sterilized, this condition will not occur again.
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