Black Rabbit in North Yorkshire

[Dalesman]

Saw a black rabbit on Grinton moor in Swaledale a few weeks ago.
Makes a change from watching grouse all day long.

[Finch]

Originally Posted by thunder

Well, all rabbits are that, in effect. But the original rabbits that were introduced included some black ones (and various other colours) as those with different coloured fur were more highly valued. Difficult to know if the black rabbits we see now are from the original genes or from recently escaped pets - which some undoubtedly are.

henrya

We also have a black rabbit near us. It is true that 'wild' black rabbits are produced naturally, as from the gene pool as thunder says. A melanistic form, like you sometimes get melanistic adders. Apparently they're more common on islands like Skomer Island, Wales, (I think) I guess the gene pool is smaller. I'm not sure that escaped or dumped pets would survive for that long in the wild, having lived in a domestic situation, but I'm sure its possible. I suppose in more urban areas a black (or other) rabbit would more likely be an escaped or dumped pet.

I'm pretty certain the black rabbit we have here is a wild one as it's been around for quite a long time and acts just like the other wild rabbits regarding fear of humans, and interaction with other rabbits, and looks exactly the same in features, build and condition as the others. And we're in a very rural area. Of course, I can't be 100%....

[REEVES.]

Originally Posted by ronscams

On the A49 between Ludlow and Wooferton there were always young black rabbits seen eating on the grass verge every spring, but never saw them grow into adults.

As you say ronscams, I have never seen them grow to adulthood,i think they get picked of by foxes at a young age.
Any we have born on the estate i work on are not culled but always disapear early on.

[Jason Green]

Out of interest, how many species of wild rabbit do we have in the UK?

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Out of interest, how many species of wild rabbit do we have in the UK?

Just the one species, Oryctolagus cuniculus. But there are plenty of genes from coloured or domestic rabbits about, to give us black, white and other variations.

henrya

[AlanR]

while driving in gilmerton in edinburgh on two seperate occasions I Have seen 2 baby black rabbits.they could not have been the same ones as a month had passed between sightings.and previously i had never seen any black ones in the wild.are these highbrids of pets.why the upsurge in black rabbit sightings.both of these were babys.i too have not seen any adult ones.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Out of interest, how many species of wild rabbit do we have in the UK?

Only the one Jason.

Black rabbits are by no means uncommon in many areas. I used to do a great deal of rabbit control and regularly caught black rabbits, especially where populations were particularly high. I used to ferret and snare a large compound for a well-known chemicals company, up to a quarter of the rabbits caught would be black. I've also seen blue, silver and reddish (similar to the colour on the nape of a rabbit's neck) coloured individuals, along with the odd one with white patches or markings (white feet, or a blaze on the nose are quite common), though all these are far rarer than black rabbits.

Jonathan

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

Only the one Jason.

Black rabbits are by no means uncommon in many areas. I used to do a great deal of rabbit control and regularly caught black rabbits, especially where populations were particularly high. I used to ferret and snare a large compound for a well-known chemicals company, up to a quarter of the rabbits caught would be black. I've also seen blue, silver and reddish (similar to the colour on the nape of a rabbit's neck) coloured individuals, along with the odd one with white patches or markings (white feet, or a blaze on the nose are quite common), though all these are far rarer than black rabbits.

Jonathan

I agree - i saw two black rabbit's yesterday, and have seen them else were to. I also have seen pure white rabbits.

[Jez]

I saw a black rabbit up in the boughs of a tree outside my bedroom! I have no tree outside my bedroom and there certainly wouldn't be a black rabbit in it even if there was.

Dreams are weird!!!

[rlchew]

I have just come back from a trip to Shetland.

Up there, there are loads of Rabbits .... no foxes and very few birds of prey.

There are black Rabbits and an assortment of other different colours including plain boring brown .

Richard