We are wrapping up our very first Animal of the Month feature, in which we tweet fun and interesting facts about a different animal every month on our Twitter feed @ExoticPetVets. Rabbits were our fascinating featured creatures for January.  Here is a summary of our Animal of the Month tweets. Did you know?:

• The domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is descended from the wild rabbits of Europe and northwestern Africa and centuries of selective breeding have resulted in many sizes, shapes and colour variation.
• Rabbits live to about 6 – 8 years of age, but some of the smaller dwarf breeds can live as old as 14 years of age.
• A doe isn’t just a female deer, it’s also a female rabbit! The male is called a buck and a juvenile is a kitten or kit.
• The most important thing in a rabbit’s diet is a grass-based hay such as Timothy hay, which should always be available.
• Due to its high calcium, protein and caloric content, alfalfa hay should be avoided for rabbits over six months of age.
• Rabbits should be fed a high-fibre pelleted food with 13-18% crude protein and limited to 1/8-1/4 cup per day per rabbit.
• Maximum one cup of alternating varieties of veggies can be offered daily to your rabbit. Dark leafy greens are preferable.
• Fruit should be offered as treats for your rabbit sparingly, given in small quantities a couple of times a week maximum.
• Avoid feeding your rabbit seeds, nuts and grains such as breads and crackers and other starchy foods.
• When it comes to a cage for your rabbit, bigger is better. It should be made of material that rabbits can’t chew through.
• Rabbits should never be picked up by their ears! Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to restrain and carry your rabbit.