Rabbits: Special Senses

What are the three main senses that are acute in rabbits?

Sight, smell, and hearing

What is the shape of a rabbit's pupil when half-dilated?

Dorsoventrally ovoid

What percentage of the rabbit's globe does the cornea occupy?

30%

How thick is a rabbit's cornea compared to dogs and humans and why is it important?

Significantly thinner, important for surgery

What type of vision do rabbits have in their peripheral field?

Hypermetropia

What type of vision do rabbits have in their central field?

Axial myopia

What is the visual field of rabbits laterally?

300 degrees

What is the visual field of rabbits dorsally?

180 degrees

What is the color vision of rabbits called?

Dichromatic

What percentage of photoreceptors in a rabbit's retina are rods?

95%

What are the two types of cones in a rabbit's retina?

Blue cones and green cones

What is the name of the area of greatest visual acuity in a rabbit's retina?

Visual streak

What is the "blue streak" in a rabbit's retina?

A horizontal area of high blue cone density in the ventral retina

Does a rabbit's eye have a tapetum lucidum?

No

What is the function of the third eyelid in rabbits?

Covers 2/3 of the cornea, allows them to sleep with eyes open without eyeballs drying out

What is the name of the gland associated with the third eyelid?

Harderian gland

What is the color of the secretion from the Harderian gland?

White, milky

What is Epiphora?

Excessive tearing or overflow of tears, often due to impaired tear drainage.

What causes white epiphora in rabbits?

Impaired drainage or obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct

What is the nasolacrimal punctum?

A small opening located on the lower eyelid allowing tears to drain into the nasolacrimal duct.

Where is the nasolacrimal punctum located in rabbits?

On the lower eyelid near the medial canthus

What dental condition can cause epiphora in rabbits?

Elongation of incisor roots

What is dacryocystitis in rabbits?

Purulent discharge from the nasolacrimal canaliculus

How often do rabbits blink?

10-12 times per hour

What is the name for the protruding of the eye in rabbits?

Exophthalmos

What type of fundus do rabbits have?

Merangiotic

What does merangiotic mean?

Type of fundus in rabbits, moderately vascularised retina

How many turbinates does a rabbit have in each nasal cavity?

Five

What is the name of the specialized olfactory area in a rabbit's nasal cavity?

Ethmoturbinate

What is unique about a rabbit's nostrils?

They can move independently

How do rabbits breathe?

Obligate nasal breathers

What does it mean to be an obligate nasal breather?

Animals that can only breathe through their nose and cannot effectively breathe through their mouth.

What is the function of the nasal planum in rabbits?

Temperature regulation

What is the nasal planum?

The pigmented, hairless, rostralmost surface of the external nose

What is the shape of a rabbit's external ear?

Long and funnel-shaped

How many muscles control a rabbit's pinna?

At least 17

What is the range of hearing for rabbits?

360 Hz to 42 kHz

How does a rabbit's hearing range compare to humans?

Extends about one octave higher

What is the function of a rabbit's long ears?

Heat dissipation and sound localization

What is unique about a rabbit's ear canal?

Entirely vertical

What type of cerumen do rabbits produce?

Dry, flaky cerumen

What is cerumen?

Earwax, cleans, lubricates and protects ear canal

What is the shape of a rabbit's tympanic membrane?

Oval

What is the name of the bony structure that supports the external ear in rabbits?

Tympanic bulla

How many ossicles are in a rabbit's middle ear?

Three

What are the 3 ossicles in a rabbits ear called?

malleus, incus, stapes

What is the cochlea responsible for in rabbits?

Converting sound waves to nerve impulses

How many turns does a rabbit's cochlea have?

2.5 turns

What is the function of the vestibular system in rabbits?

Balance and spatial orientation

What is a common ear condition in rabbits?

Otitis externa