R. Villafuerte et al., ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SEASONAL DAILY ACTIVITY OF THE EUROPEAN RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS-CUNICULUS) IN A MEDITERRANEAN AREA, Mammalia, 57(3), 1993, pp. 341-347
Activity pattern of European wild rabbits has been studied in a Medite
rranean ecosystem of SW Iberian Peninsula, from where they are a nativ
e species. The daily activity pattern of rabbits in the area is simila
r to those found in other countries where the species has been introdu
ced : high activity al night and at twilights, and scarce activity by
day. However, this general pattern shows seasonal changes probably rel
ated to environmental conditions and antipredatory strategies. Changes
in rabbits activity are correlated mainly with temperature, but sunli
ght, moonlight, and wind also affectit. Variations of activity pattern
suggest that controlling mechanisms are flexible enough to allow adap
tations to changing environments.