The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has large dark eyes, a small reddish patch on the nape of the neck and a white underside. Its eyesight is highly developed, allowing it to see behind itself without turning its head, although it does have a small blind spot directly in front of its nose.

It is a herbivorous animal that feeds mainly on herbaceous plants rich in cellulose. During the breeding season it favours plants with a higher protein content, while lactating females consume more tender and succulent vegetation. One of the most characteristic signs of its presence is its droppings, often accompanied by scratches in the ground.

Rabbits are social animals that live in colonies and are most active at dawn and dusk. They dig extensive, branching burrow systems, known as warrens, which are often interconnected. On sunny days they may also be seen resting in the open.

They reach sexual maturity between three and a half and four months of age. Gestation lasts between 28 and 33 days, and each litter usually consists of three to five young. Their average lifespan is around 15 years.

Rabbits are found throughout Catalonia, mainly below 1,000 metres in altitude. They inhabit scrubland and woodland interspersed with farmland, particularly in sandy or clay-rich soils. Their principal predators include foxes and birds of prey.

This is a common species and, in recent years, populations have increased in many areas. In some places rabbits can become a pest and cause damage to crops. Nevertheless, they are also affected by diseases such as myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease.