Black wild rabbits

[CoolC]

Driving home yesterday evening and whilst travelling along I noticed two rabbits at the side of the road that were jet black.

I can only presume they are the result of domestic rabbits escaping and breeding with wild ones.

It's the first time I've ever seen this, has anyone else seen the same?

[randlemarcus]

Yup, saw one a couple of weeks ago, and was sufficiently curious to look it up. Seemingly, its a genetic variant, just like albinos. I think I prefer your domestic escapee theory though.

[CoolC]

randlemarcus said:

its a genetic variant, just like albinos.

An albino negative

Hadn't thought of that.

[blueedge]

Melanistic rabbits. Makes them easy prey though as they stand out a lot more being jet black.

[AdiT]

There was a couple in the country park where I walk the dog last year.This week I've seen at least a dozen little black bunnies. They're easy to spot though so I suspect numbers will reduce pretty quick.

[Podie]

We saw one last year... amusingly close to a pet shop. Did make us wonder if someone had escaped and was having a bit of action with the local bunnies.

[ClassicMercs]

Seen a few over the years. Just odd ones - can't recall If I ever saw two together.

[balders118]

Same reason you get black "panthers", and other are correct, easy to spot so easy prey.

[Jasandjules]

Podie said:

We saw one last year... amusingly close to a pet shop. Did make us wonder if someone had escaped and was having a bit of action with the local bunnies.

I suspect that's exactly what it is...

[JohnnyJones]

I'm in mid Cheshire and there are pockets of different coloured rabbits around me, including some black ones near the north end of Delamere forest.

They all taste the same.

[Bobrick]

Brading Marsh on the Isle of Wight has bright ginger rabbits, took me by surprise first time I saw them.

[Jasandjules]

Bobrick said:

Brading Marsh on the Isle of Wight has bright ginger rabbits, took me by surprise first time I saw them.

They are foxes mate....



;-)

[balders118]

Jasandjules said:

Bobrick said:

Brading Marsh on the Isle of Wight has bright ginger rabbits, took me by surprise first time I saw them.

They are foxes mate....



;-)

[Amused2death]

Seen several on the A143 between Harleston and Chicken roundabout. I thought they were abandoned domesticated ones.

[theshrew]

JohnnyJones said:

I'm in mid Cheshire and there are pockets of different coloured rabbits around me, including some black ones near the north end of Delamere forest.

They all taste the same.

Where abouts mate ? Shall keep my eyes open when I'm out on my bike / walking the dogs