What is a group of rabbits called?
Interestingly, there are actually many terms used to describe a group or family of rabbits.
We’ll take a look at all of them here so that you know what to call your bunch of bunnies – and no, the term isn’t ‘bunch’ and nor is it ‘cute’!
What Is A Group Of Bunnies Called?
A group of rabbits in the wild is most commonly called a colony, however, they can also be called a fluffle!
A third collective noun used for a group of rabbits is herd.
Different parts of the English-speaking world use different terms.
Which sounds better to you?
‘A fluffle of rabbits’, a ‘colony of rabbits’, or a ‘herd of rabbits’?
In the wild, rabbits will live together as part of a colony.
They are, of course, a diurnal species, most active at dawn and dusk – a rabbit’s night vision isn’t all that good.
There will usually be a dominant female who claims the best nesting spots and have the most successful breeding. There are also dominant males who are always marking out their territories.
Pet rabbits can be kept together when they have been properly introduced to one another, though you wouldn’t usually refer to 2 or 3 rabbits as a colony.
What Is A Group Of Baby Bunnies Called?
There are also multiple names for a group of baby bunnies.
A group of baby rabbits can be called a nest or a litter.
‘The average litter size for rabbits is 5 bunnies,’ say the experts at Animal Answer Guide. ‘However, a litter can range anywhere between 1 to 12 rabbits and each rabbit doe can have 3 to 4 litters per season.’
I live in a rural area that is overrun with wild rabbits, and colloquially it’s not uncommon to hear farmers say ‘I just took out a nest of rabbits’ or ‘the dog got a litter of bunnies.’
Dogs are one of the main predators of pet and wild rabbits, especially breeds like Jack Russels, Foxies, Beagles, and Hounds – our Labrador is always trying to catch one but never has yet.
However, my local area isn’t quite as bad as Rabbit Island where the rabbits are as tame as anything.
A Fluffle Of Rabbits
Have you heard of Rabbit Island in Japan?
The island is called Okunoshima, and it’s off the coast of Japan near Hiroshima.
It’s one of the best examples of a group of tame rabbits in the wild. There are thousands of very friendly rabbits hopping all over the island.
No one really knows exactly where they came from originally, but they are part of the island now. I’m sure they’re getting the best rabbit foods, and could be considered a kind of community pet, now that they’re such a tourist draw.
These rabbits are quite different in appearance from regular wild rabbits found around the world, as they seem to have descended from pet rabbit breeds.
It is suspected they came from abandoned testing labs on the island, but this is denied by the authorities.
Group Of Rabbits
So that is what you call a group or family of rabbits.
Go with your preferred name: colony, fluffle, or herd.
You are right with either option.
I think I’ll personally be sticking with fluffle – it doesn’t get much more unique to rabbits than that.
Other terms relating to what to call a group of bunnies:
- Rabbit warren – the term used for where a group of bunnies lives
- Doe – the name of a female rabbit
- Buck – the name of a male rabbit
If you’re keeping these sweet things as pets, check out this list of foods that can kill rabbits to make sure your animals don’t have access to any of them.
Let us know in the comments below if you have any more questions about what to call a group of rabbits.
I’ve also heard the term a party of rabbits – does this sound correct?
I don’t think it’s an official term but it does sound good!
Can they also be called a herd of rabbits? I’ve seen that listed elsewhere as well.
Yes, I believe that term is often used but don’t think it’s an official collective noun for rabbits.
I love the word fluffle! Wouldn’t it make a great rabbit name as well? Perfect, I think!
Yes, you’re right. That would be an awesome name!
We are starting our own heard of rabbits it’s taken 3 years and right now we’ve got usually 25 we can count in the evening
I was trying to post a picture of our front yard