Use of burrows and movements by wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on an area of sand dunes.
Abstract
Radio-collared rabbits were located during the day throughout the year on an area of sand dunes in the east of Scotland, UK, in 1986-89 to study their use of burrows and cover for refuge. Trapping out gave a rabbit density before breeding in the spring of between 12.1 and 16.8 rabbits/ha, and quadrat counts showed a burrow density of 263 used and 496 total burrows/ha. Throughout the year, most rabbits were in burrows, although some individuals, particularly some males and juveniles, were occasionally to be found on the surface. Most young rabbits on the surface in the summer gradually took to living in burrows in the autumn. The youngest stayed out the longest. These and other results are discussed in relation to the roles of social behaviour and predation in determining burrow use on sand dunes, and in relation to the effectiveness of gassing burrows as a method of control in these areas.