How Long Do Bunnies Usually Live

How Long Do Bunnies Usually Live?

When we started our hobby farm, one of the first animals we brought on board was rabbits.  My daughter Olivia was the lead caretaker for our lovely bunnies (there are some great pictures of Olivia and the Rabbits on our Hobby Farm Heaven “About” page).

We did some research about how long do bunnies usually live when we started raising them and found that pet rabbits that are well cared for can live between 8 and 12 years.

With the proper diet, protective housing and good hygiene, domestic rabbits will usually live much longer than wild rabbits. Companionship can also play a significant role in the happiness and therefore longevity of your rabbit. 

How Old Is Oldest Rabbit

The oldest rabbit on record (and featured in the Guinnes World Records book) was a rabbit named Flopsy who lived in Tasmania.

The oldest known rabbit (Flopsy) died in 1983 after living in captivity in Tasmania for 18 years and 10 months. 

How Long Do Rabbits Live As Pets

Proper care plays a very important role in how healthy your rabbits are and therefore how long your pet rabbits live within their normal range of 8 to 12 years.

The primary elements of rabbit care affecting rabbit health and longevity are:

  • Rabbit Hygiene – Proper hygiene is very important in preventing disease and parasites. Read more about mites and hair loss in Why Is My Bunny Losing Hair?
  • Rabbit Exercise – Exercise is a key element of rabbit health and longevity.  A rabbit that is able to move about in a rabbit run will tend to be much happier and healthier than a rabbit that is confined to a small cage and cannot run or hop. 
  • Rabbit Companionship and Social Interaction – Rabbits are social animals that prefer to be around other rabbits.  Solitary rabbits are not as happy or healthy as rabbits living in community with other rabbits.
  • Reducing Stress for Rabbits – Generally reducing stress for your rabbit will help the rabbit be healthier and happier. 

Most pet rabbits do not experience the degree of stress that seems to be a constant for wild rabbits. Think about it, wild rabbits have the pressure to both find food and evade predators each and every day. Additionally, they must be able to find adequate seasonal shelter from harsh or extreme weather conditions. 

Lifespan of Wild Rabbit

The average lifespan of a wild rabbit is 1 to 3 years.  This is much less than that of the domestic or pet rabbit.

Predators, food scarcity, and disease are the primary stressors on wild rabbits and the primary contributors to the shorter lifespan of the wild rabbit.  

For more information you can visit: Lifespan of Bunnies! We answer more questions about How Long Bunnies Live!

Rabbit Natural Predators

Who are the rabbit’s natural predators? 

The rabbit is a food source for a number of predators in whatever environment or climate it lives in.  

The most prevalent rabbit seeking predators are: Coyote, Wolf, Fox and Wild Dog. Other common predators include owls, hawks, eagles, bobcats, lynx, and mountain lions!

Wolves Prey On Rabbits
Coyotes Prey On Rabbits
Owls Prey on Rabbits

Scarce Food For Wild Rabbits

Wild rabbits have to forage for food each and every day!  They are not given high quality hay, nutritious pellets and clean water like most domestic rabbits.

Wild bunnies have to go out and find food in their local habitats.  As you can imagine, sometimes food becomes very scarce for wild rabbits. Think about a rabbit trying to find food after a snow storm has dropped a foot of snow on the grass. 

When the snow is deep, wild rabbits resort to eating bark and twigs from young trees and bushes. 

Disease For Wild Rabbits

Yes, wild rabbits sometimes die due to disease. For instance, a wild rabbit that develops a urinary tract infection may be spraying urine on its hind legs and belly.  The urine soaked fur will quickly irritate the rabbit’s skin and attract flies.  The flies will lay eggs in the smelly, urine soaked fur and the rabbit may quickly die due to Fly Strike For Rabbits.  

Additionally, when food is scarce the wild rabbit’s system is stressed. Stress weakens the rabbit’s immune system, making the rabbit more susceptible to disease and less capable of fighting off various diseases. 

The life of a well cared for pet rabbit is much easier and much less stressful than the life of a wild rabbit. The Table below provides an overview of the Pros and Cons of being a Pet Rabbit or a Wild Rabbit, with respect to health and longevity. 

Pet RabbitWild Rabbit
PROCON
Provided With High Quality Food and WaterHas To Forage For Seasonal Food and Clean Water
No PredatorsHas To Evade Predators 7X24
Has climate controlled environmentHas to find shelter from harsh weather conditions
Lower Stress Higher Stress 7×24
Daily Health Checks by OwnerNo Health Checks 
Veterinary CareNo Veterinary Care
CONPRO
May Live AloneTypically Part Of A Community or Trip
Typically Low Exercise/MovementTypically High Exercise/Movement

Quality Food, lack of predators, excellent hygiene, frequent health checks, lower daily stress, and professional veterinary care when needed, all help the domestic rabbit to typically outlive the wild rabbit.

Conversely, the wild rabbit gets more exercise than the typical pet rabbit and gets to live with several other rabbits.

Does Rabbit Breed Influence Rabbit Lifespan

Additionally, the various breeds of rabbits have different lifespans and some breeds are more susceptible to various diseases and ailments.

For instance, some breeds seem to have a tendency to develop specific health issues that shorten their lifespan. We’ll elaborate on breed specifics and go over a few examples here.

Average Lifespan of Rabbits By Size

Generally, the breeds of rabbits that are small in physical size live longer while larger rabbit breeds live shorter lives. That being said, dwarf rabbits live the longest while giant rabbits live the shortest.

However, keep in mind that certain dwarf breeds have shortened noses, which makes them more prone to tear duct blockage problems and dental disease.

Other breeds such as the Dutch rabbit, have a bigger risk of cancers, while some giant breeds are more likely to develop heart diseases and arthritis.

Dwarf Rabbit Breeds

The average lifespan of dwarf breeds is between 7 and 12 years.

The rabbits from these breeds typically weigh between 1.5 and 5 pounds.

Dwarf breeds include Dwarf Lop, the Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit, Mini English Angora, Dwarf Lionhead, and Holland Lop.

Medium Rabbit Breeds

The regular breeds usually live between 6 and 10 years.

They weigh between 4 and 8 pounds. Some of these breeds include American, Angora, Californian, Silver, Dutch, Belgian Hare, Havana, Cinnamon, and Rex.

Giant Breeds

Unfortunately, giant breeds have the shortest lifespan.

They often live between 4 and 8 years and weigh between 7 and 15 pounds.

Some of these breeds include German Giants, Checkered Giant, British Giants, Flemish Giant, Red (Belgian Giants), and Continental Giant.

How Long Do Floppy Eared Rabbits Live?

The average lifespan of bunnies varies from one specimen to another.

For instance, some can live for 5 years, while others can survive for over 15 years. The adorable Floppy Eared bunnies, in general, live for 7-12 years

How Long Do Jersey Wooly Rabbits Live?

The Jersey Wooly bunnies live between 7 and 10 years. They’re one of my favorite bunnies because they love cuddles and attention. They’re also playful and enjoy lap naps!

How Long Do French Lop Rabbits Live?

French Lop bunnies live between 6 and 8 years. They’re typically larger rabbits that can reach 13 pounds in adulthood. I adore their coats!

They’re covered in soft, dense coats, so they’re perfect for cuddles!

How Long Do New Zealand White Rabbits Live?

The average lifespan of New Zealand White bunnies is between 7 and 10 years. They’re the perfect pets for homes with kids because of their calm and docile nature.

How Long Does A Jackrabbit Live?

Jackrabbits and other hares haven’t been domesticated. So, they don’t make good pets. However, some breeds like the Belgian Hare resemble Jackrabbits and can make excellent companions.

In the wild, Jackrabbits may often live between 1 and 3  years, 4yrs is pushing it. In captivity, on the other hand, they live longer.

How Long Do Mini Rabbits Live?

Mini bunnies live between 8 and 10 years. Some small bunny breeds live longer than others. However, good care can also extend the life of mini bunnies, sometimes even beyond 10 years.

Can Bunnies live 20 years?

No, bunnies can not live 20 years. Flopsy, the oldest rabbit on record lived for 18 years and 10 months. Flopsy the rabbit is in the Guiness Book Of World Records.

Can A Rabbit Live 13 years?

Yes, your pet rabbit can live to age 13.  Smaller breed rabbits tend to live longer than the giant breed rabbits.  Thirteen years is very old for a rabbit, but domestic rabbits can live to be 13 years old. 

Awesome Video Shows Baby Bunnies Grow from Birth to 30 Days

Final Thoughts on How Long Do Bunnies Usually Live

Most pet or domestic rabbits will live for 8 to 12 years, while most wild rabbits may only live for 1 to 4 years. Smaller size rabbits generally live longer than the larger size rabbits. 

For example, Dwarf breeds like the Dwarf Lop, the Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit, and the Dwarf Lionhead typically live longer than the Giant breeds like the Flemish Giant, and Continental Giant.

Pet or domestic rabbits typically live longer than wild rabbits. Wild rabbits live with many daily challenges and the stress of constantly having to avoid predators.

Pet bunnies have access to the following benefits that wild rabbits do not have access to:  

  • High Quality Food and Water
  • Protection From Predators
  • Daily Health Checks for Hygiene, Parasites and Pests
  • Access to Professional Veterinary Care

Predator pressure, food scarcity, and disease are the primary challenges that face wild rabbits and shorten the average lifespan of a wild rabbit.

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