European Rabbit (kaniini, villikaniini) – Oryctolagus cuniculus
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- Biology
- Taxonomy
- Occurrence
- Specimen
- Invasive alien species
- Liukko, U-M., Henttonen, H., Hanski, I. K., Kauhala, K., Kojola, I., Kyheröinen, E-M. & Pitkänen, J. 2016: Suomen nisäkkäiden uhanalaisuus 2015 – The 2015 Red List of Finnish Mammal Species. Ympäristöministeriö & Suomen ympäristökeskus. 34 s.
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The map represents observations of this taxon, but it may not be used as a distribution map.
- Total squares
The map represents observations of this taxon, but it may not be used as a distribution map.
Origin and general distribution
The first observations of rabbits that had survived the Finnish winter were reported in the 1980s in Helsinki. At the turn of the 2000s, they began to spread all over the city, and the population grew exponentially. European rabbits are a nuisance today at least in the metropolitan area, Turku, Vaasa, Tuusula and Mäntyharju.
The species will possibly continue spreading into southern and south-western Finland, focused around built-up areas. Forest areas are less favourable for European rabbits, due the the higher risk of meeting predators. European rabbit populations are being further increased by released pet rabbits.
Description text authors:
Petri Nummi, University of Helsinki – updated 15 March 2016
The chart shows temporal distribution of the observations, which is not the same as population increase/decrease.
The following biotope data have been recorded for observations of this taxa