A study of the biology of the wild rabbit in climatically different regions in eastern Australia. II. Seasonal changes in the pelt

Abstract

Data are presented on moulting in the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), at four sites in eastern Australia — subalpine, semi-arid, subtropical, and Mediterranean.

The Australian wild rabbit moults twice a year. A spring–summer moult, which shortens the fur for summer, progresses from the ventral surface towards the dorsal (dorsad) and an autumn–winter moult, in which longer and more wavy fur grows, progresses from the dorsal surface to the ventral (ventrad).

During the breeding season the pattern of moulting in females becomes scattered.

Rabbits under 3 months old appear to have consecutive moults which usually progress dorsad, irrespective of season.

The wave pattern of the moults becomes less regular with increasing age.

In the subalpine area moulting was limited to definite seasons and was completely absent during the cold winter. At the other three sites where the winter was milder, moulting occurred throughout the year but still with definite peaks of ventrad moulting in spring–summer and of dorsad moulting in autumn-winter.