WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Common and widespread throughout the lowlands. Habitat includes: heathland, pastures, open meadow, grassland, scrub, woodland, parks, churchyards, caravan parks, service stations, sand dunes etc. Life span: Up to 9 years. Length: Up to 40 cm. Weight: Up to 5 kg. Life story: Most active at dawn and dusk. They live in Warrens. Native to the Iberian Peninsula they were originally thought to have been introduced during the Middle Ages but recent finds have suggested they were introduced by the Romans (AD 43), then again by the Normans after 1066 and also during the Middle Ages. They were quite scarce up until around the 13th century when they became local. It is likely they were introduced over an extended period. Other names include: Rabbit, Common Rabbit, Coney.