Rabbit Locomotion

How many vertebrae are typically found in a rabbit's spine?

C7, T12-13, L6-7, S4, Cd16

What is unique about the rabbit's spinal cord compared to other mammals?

It extends into the sacral vertebrae

What is the natural curvature of a rabbit's spine?

Ventral in lumbar, dorsal in coccygeal

How many paired ribs do rabbits typically have?

12 pairs

What type of movement is characteristic of rabbit locomotion?

Saltation (hopping)

What stance do rabbits adopt when walking?

Plantigrade

What stance do rabbits adopt when running?

Digitigrade

What percentage of a rabbit's body weight is its skeleton?

6-8%

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is muscle?

50%

What adaptation allows rabbits to evade predators?

Strong hindlimb musculature

What is a common site for vertebral fractures in rabbits?

L6/L7

How does the rabbit's skull differ from other mammals?

More spongy with thin cortex

What is unique about the rabbit's mandible compared to the maxilla?

Narrower

How many teeth do rabbits have?

28

What type of teeth do rabbits have?

Open-rooted (continually growing)

What is unique about the rabbit's radius and ulna?

Completely fused in older animals

How many digits are on a rabbit's forelimb?

5

How many digits are on a rabbit's hindlimb?

4

What is unique about the rabbit's pubic symphysis?

Mobile, fibrocartilaginous joint

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is forelimb musculature?

9%

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is hindlimb musculature?

13%

What is tonic immobility in rabbits?

A freeze response to stress

Why is the menace response not useful in neurological exams for rabbits?

It's a learned behavior rabbits don't develop

What is a common reason for clinical presentation in rabbits related to the nervous system?

Vestibular issues

What is "binkying" in rabbits?

A happy behavior involving running and jumping

How does the rabbit's pectoral girdle differ from a cat's?

More triangular scapula with hooked suprahamate process

What adaptation in the rabbit's hindlimb allows for powerful kicks?

Elongated tibia and calcaneus

What is the natural curvature of a rabbit's spine?

Ventral in lumbar, dorsal in coccygeal

How many paired ribs do rabbits typically have?

12 pairs

What percentage of a rabbit's body weight is its skeleton?

6-8%

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is muscle?

50%

What is unique about the rabbit's radius and ulna?

Completely fused in older animals

How many digits are on a rabbit's forelimb?

5

How many digits are on a rabbit's hindlimb?

4

What is unique about the rabbit's pubic symphysis?

Mobile, fibrocartilaginous joint

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is forelimb musculature?

9%

What percentage of a rabbit's body mass is hindlimb musculature?

13%

What is tonic immobility in rabbits?

A freeze response to stress

Why is the menace response not useful in neurological exams for rabbits?

It's a learned behavior rabbits don't develop

What is "binkying" in rabbits?

A happy behavior involving running and jumping

What is unique about the rabbit's skull compared to other mammals?

More spongy with thin cortex

How does the rabbit's mandible differ from the maxilla?

Narrower

What type of teeth do rabbits have?

Open-rooted (continually growing)

What is the dental formula for rabbits?

2/1, 0/0, 3/2, 3/3

What are peg teeth in rabbits?

Second upper incisors

How does the rabbit's tibia differ from other mammals?

Elongated

What is unique about the rabbit's fibula?

Partially fused to tibia, runs only half its length