PREDATION RISK, COVER TYPE, AND GROUP-SIZE IN EUROPEAN RABBITS IN DONANA (SW SPAIN)

As European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) in SW Spain face high predation pressure, some antipredator tactics are expected. We examined rabbit group size in relation to the safety of the cover (sparse or dense), and the proximity to shrub cover. Stem density infl uenced the distance rabbits ventured from shrub; rabbits ventured grea ter distances when stem density in cover was higher. Rabbit group size was related to the distance to cover; solitary animals remained close r to protective cover, whereas rabbits in groups (greater than or equa l to 3 animals) foraged further from cover. These results are consiste nt with the hypothesis that the formation of rabbit groups is related to defense against predation, and that group size is influenced by ris k of perception.