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Rabbits

Eradication: Rabbits are one of Australia’s major agricultural and environmental pests. Help us eradicate from the Sunshine Coast. They damage pasture and crops, cause soil erosion and compete with native animals for resources.

European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act. It is listed as an eradication species in our Biosecurity Plan.

These species are present in low numbers and found in only a few locations on the Sunshine Coast. However, if they spread further, they will cause significant impacts. Elimination of these species is achievable for land managers. In Queensland, rabbits must not be kept, moved, fed, given away, sold or released into the environment without a permit.

Description

  • Usually grey-brown with a pale belly (may also be ginger, black or white)
  • Short front legs and long hind legs
  • Long ears
  • When running, the tail usually points up

Where they live

Rabbits live in areas where the soil is easy for burrowing and digging. Low numbers of rabbits have been managed in the Mary River Catchment. Rabbits prefer tussock grasses and areas littered with fallen timber. They have also been found under buildings, in old machinery and in waste facilities.

Problems caused by rabbits

Rabbits are one of Australia's worst agricultural and environmental pests. Rabbits cost the council approximately $1 billion each year. They compete with native animals including rare and endangered Bilbies and Dunnarts. They destroy the landscape and are a primary cause of soil erosion.

Protecting against rabbits

Under the Biosecurity Act all Queenslanders have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). This GBO requires everyone to manage biosecurity risks under their control.

Reasonable and practical measures to achieve each management objective are detailed in our plan. Council provides services to assist the community and land managers to achieve this (and to meet their GBO).

To learn about Council's programs or to get help to protect your place, visit the managing invasive animals webpage.

More information

Similar species

European hares (Lepus europaeus) are known to occur in our local government area. Hares are not prohibited or restricted under the Biosecurity Act. There is no need to report a sighting of a hare.

You can identify a rabbit (above) from a hare by the size of its body and ears. Rabbits are generally smaller than hares and have shorter ears.

You can identify a rabbit (above) from a hare by the size of its body and ears. Rabbits are generally smaller than hares and have shorter ears.

A hare (above) is generally larger than a rabbit with longer hind legs and longer ears. They are usually a golden-brown colour with black markings on their ears.

A hare (above) is generally larger than a rabbit with longer hind legs and longer ears. They are usually a golden-brown colour with black markings on their ears.