Some haematological data from an experimental colony of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L)

Abstract

An analysis of haematological data collected during a period of 22 months from a colony of Australian wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), living in a 1.7-acre experimental enclosure, is presented. Erythrocyte, leucocyte, and reticulocyte counts were made, and the level of haemoglobin was determined in 815 blood samples taken at regular monthly intervals. Differences between sexes, ages, and seasons were examined statistically for various blood values. Haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts fell when the rabbit population rose above approximately 50 per acre but there was not a statistically significant rise in the counts of reticulocytes. White blood cell counts rose during breeding fights and high population density.