Myxomatosis in your areas?

[Alan]

Noticed today a lot of myxi about the Rabbit population around here. Usually you get the odd one or two, but this morning there was not only quite a few hopping around with it (in quite an advanced state but still eating), but many dead too which is more unusual.

I’m thinking it’s probably at the end of a cycle around here, and next year myxi will be less prevalent.

I’d be interested to know what the situation is in your areas?

[nightshade]

I came across a very old rabbit hopping towards me this morning it is the first
myxi I have seen around here for a good while.There are plenty of healthy youngsters
out and about which are supporting a good number of Buzzards

[honeybee]

Last summer I'm afraid my mum's dogs went on a killing frenzy with all the myxi bunnies, there were a lot, not so many this year. Seems more prolific in summer. A horrible thing I think.

[jennyb]

I've seen several in the garden this year - more than usual. It is very sad.

Jenny

[aeshna5]

Honeybee, at least the dogs were putting tragic bunnies out of a nasty lingering death- an act of mercy me thinks!

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Honeybee, at least the dogs were putting tragic bunnies out of a nasty lingering death- an act of mercy me thinks!

Yeah i agree but the dogs are smaller than some of the bunnies! One poor thing didn't know where it was going and threw itself in the pond.One dog ignores myxi ones, I don't know if it's the different behaviour or if they smell a bit different.

[Alan]

Remember a large percentage of Rabbits survive myxi now, so to distroy everyone you come across with signs of the desease, wont allow them to recover and become immune. I tend to just leave the decision of life and death to nature..

[honeybee]

They don't still put myxi down do they? I was told it was given to fleas put on black rabbits. One place I always used to see wild black bunnies and another place had a large population of ginger bunnies.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by honeybee

They don't still put myxi down do they? I was told it was given to fleas put on black rabbits. One place I always used to see wild black bunnies and another place had a large population of ginger bunnies.

No the myxi we know has been in the Rabbit population since the 1950's. That's why immunities have been built up against it, but every few years a newer strain develops and the cycle starts over again.

It's possible that the odd domestic escapee Rabbit has bred with wild stock to produce different colouration in some colonies, but 99% of black Rabbits occur naturally as a melanistic form - often thought to be a product of inbreeding. Don't forget all varieties of fancy domestic Rabbits are descended from colour mutations of wild ones, brought on by intentional inbreeding to get the different varieties - whether it's for colour or size.

[henrya]

Black rabbits were bred in mediaeval warrens - the black fur was in high demand for ornamental trimmings on clothes and for hat making.

henrya