Taxonomy
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Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Lagomorpha Family: Leporidae Genus: Oryctolagus Species: Oryctolagus cuniculus |
Domain: Eukarya
Organisms in this domain are all
eukaryotic, which means they are muliticellular, and contain
mitochondria along with other membrane bound organelles inside
their cells. They also have no cell walls.
Kingdom: Animalia
Those who belong to the kingdom
Animalia are classified by having the characteristics of being
multicellular and heterotrophic.
Phylum: Chordata
The European Rabbit belongs to the
phylum Chordata, which is in the kingdom Animalia. This phylum
is home to both vertebrates as well as invertebrates.
Chordates all share characteristics that sets them apart from
the rest of the organisms in their kingdom. At some stage
in their life, all chordates have a notochord, a dorsal nerve
chord, an endostyle (precursor to the thyroid gland), pharyngeal
slits, bilateral symmetry, segmented bodies, and a post-anal
tail.
Class: Mammalia
Members of this class are
vertebrates that have fur, females produce milk to feed her
young, the middle ear contains three bones, and have a
diaphragm.
Order: lagomorpha
Rabbits, hares, and pikas all make
up the order lagomorpha. These three groups of animals
have four incisors in the upper jaw, and are almost wholly
herbivores. Their eyes are set high on the head, giving
them a wide field of vision, and have weak but flexible necks.
Family: leporidae
This family contains both rabbits
as well as hares. These animals has thick, soft fur, large
ears, and limbs adapted for running. Hares generally have longer
black-tipped ears, and are larger than rabbits. They born
with their eyes open, have fur, and can run within a few minutes
of birth. Rabbits on the other hand are born not able to
see, and are kept in a fur lined next their first days of life
because they are hairless.
Genus: Oryctolagus
All European rabbits are classified
under this genus.
species: Oryctolagus cuniculus
The European Rabbit is the ancestor
of all domestic breeds of rabbits. This species of rabbits
range from about 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms (3.3-5.5 lbs), and can be
38 to 50cm in length (14.96 to 19.69 in), but domestic breeds
can bebigger.
Click here to go on to the history of the European rabbit