ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SEASONAL DAILY ACTIVITY OF THE EUROPEAN RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS-CUNICULUS) IN A MEDITERRANEAN AREA

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.