Understanding Rabbit Estrus: Timing and Symptoms

Section 1: The Breeding Season of Rabbits and Symptoms During Estrus

1. Generally, rabbits reach sexual maturity around 3 months of age. However, the timing of this maturity is influenced by a variety of factors, including the rabbit's breed, size, and the way it is cared for, with weight often playing a significant role. Small rabbits may enter sexual maturity earlier, typically around 3 months, while mediumsized rabbits usually do so between 4 to 6 months, and large rabbits may take until they are 5 to 7 months old to reach sexual maturity. Additionally, it is typically observed that male rabbits will start to show signs of estrus earlier than females.

2. Male rabbits can become estrus throughout the year, whereas females usually exhibit induced estrus, triggered by stimuli such as the scent of an estrous male. The periods from February to April and September to November are when rabbits are most active in estrus and experience the highest frequency of estrus. The estrus period for rabbits usually lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks, but some may remain in estrus for up to a month, with a few cases extending even longer. The estrus cycle in rabbits is divided into early, middle, and late stages.

Section 2: Signs of Estrus in Rabbits

When male rabbits are in estrus, they exhibit heightened territorial and aggressive behavior, a decrease in appetite, and the most distinctive signs include urination and stamping their hind legs. Estrous males are also known to engage in mounting behavior and may bite at their cages at night.

When two male rabbits are in estrus simultaneously, fighting is more common, while in the case of a male and female, there is a frequent occurrence of chasing and mounting. During estrus, the urine of rabbits becomes more concentrated.

Females in estrus tend to rub their chins against bowls or other objects and may display behaviors such as sniffing and digging. The color of the vulva in estrous females changes from pink at the beginning to dark red by the end of the cycle, and the vulva becomes swollen.

The above information provides an overview of the breeding season and estrus symptoms in rabbits, aiming to deepen the understanding of this physiological phenomenon among pet owners!