Notes on emergence behaviour of the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) and its bearing on the validity of sight counts for population estimates

Abstract

Observation Indicated a wide variat~on 111 the tlmes of emergence of rabblts, Oryctolagus cunzculus (L.), from adjacent warrens. Disturbance by avian predators and casual mterference by humans had only a temporary effect on emergence but prolonged shoot~ng and gm-trapping caused the rabbits to emerge later, and readjustment to normal behawour took about 3 months. These variables must be taken into consideration in the use of sight counts for population estimates.