The sad truth is most female bunnies likely won’t make it long enough to get cancer in the wild, due to predators and things like getting run over by cars, poisoned, etc.

Monkey is right – the average lifespan of wild bunny is around 2 – 3 years…that’s it.  

I found this from allexperts.com. The expert there gave the average age for indoor rabbits, outdoor pet rabbits and wild rabbits. 

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/lifespan.htm

ditto…….rabbits are on the menu for so many animals, odds are they don’t live long enough to get cancer.

This isn’t a stupid question at all, rather I think it’s a great question b/c many people ask this (or think it) when trying to decide whether or not to spay: “Why should I spay my bun, it’s unnatural, rabbits in the wild are not spayed…” This is true, but when you take an animal and domesticate it, issues will arise that otherwise would not have. Cancer (or living long enough to get cancer!) is one of those things.

I think it’s great your mom is curious about this! I love when family shows an interest in bunnies, even if it’s not “their thing”. Another way you can explain this is comparing it to human health. There are so many new/different medical problems and diseases that were never an issue before… but the main reason is b/c people were simply not living long enough to get cancer, Alzheimers, etc… The average lifespan used to be in the 50s, now it’s in the 70s-80s…

true Beka   centuries ago people married young due to shorter lifespans and such

Yup they will sadly die young in the wild.

Although-the cancer incidence may not be that high in North American wild rabbit/jack rabbit species-because our house rabbits come from European rabbits (they are very different seperate species).

But wild rabbits live very short lives. And because they are R reproducers-meaning they reproduce quickly and often-getting cancer at a young age would not be selected out (by darwinian selection-becasue they have already reproduced when they get cancer, only diseases affecting mortality that occur BEFORE reproduction will be selected against) as well it may be beneficial for R reproducing strategies as well.
It’s sad-but it does make sense

I spoke to my vet about this not so long ago and she said that cancer in wild populations is infact natures birth control. She did studies where they caught and created new rabbit groups of wild population, they removed each litter and outside of a few accidents none of the original caught group died in the first few years however the litter rate started to drop off, to the extent where there was smaller litter sizes, 1 or 2 kits per litter and then none at all. When the rabbits where vet checked the males where still fertile and where added back to another control group of younger females and produced normal size litters where the females (all over the age of 4 now) where riddled with cancer and therefore stopped reproducing. Now granted most of these females would not have made to to 4 years of age in the wild, their control group they had in a wild population the original females 2 years in where all gone. So I think nature sort of put a stop gap on these animals as otherwise they would just keep breeding if no preditors where in the area. I hope this makes sense, I can always aak her if I can get a copy of her research paper if anyone wants it.

angelicvampyre – that is pretty interesting!  If this vet did publish the paper – I’d be interested in a link to it.  Would it have been on the wild rabbits in Australia?  If so – that really supports the uterine cancer stats in pets because this is the same breed, from the european rabbit.

Often it is said that “non-breeding” does at risk of cancer and some believe by breeding them they reduce the risk. However, what you’re saying about this study indicates that formerly breeding does developed cancer (over age 4).  That they become non-breeding due to cancer. Really Interesting.   Research like this would help support spaying for health reasons and combat statements like on this site: (scroll 1/2 way down)  http://www.petrabbitworld.com/myth_busting.html

@ MissPinUp – not at all a stupid Qu.  I’m glad you asked it.

I will ask her if it’s published or if i can reproduce it on the web when i next speak to her. Not sure I like that website you linked to *grumble grumble grumble*

Jersey, that page is unreal. “House rabbit and rescue extremists”… LMAO!

From an evolutionary standpoint, lifespan isn’t really the point.  Reproduction is.

Rabbits in teh wild grow up fast, have as many litters as possible, and then they usually get eaten.  If they are ill from cancer or other disease then they are just that much more likely to be caught and eaten.

We want more than a bunch of litters and 2-3 years of life, so we subvert evolution by speutering – an initial risk weighed against long-term results. 

Nicely put! ^

Beka – I know. I read it a few weeks ago and was a bit troubled. I did find the “House rabbit and rescue extremists” funny too and was going to post about it when I first read it. When I linked the site in this thread I couldn’t find that part for the life of me. House rabbit and rescue extremists and Proud!

I love that page, thanks for posting it JG. Gave me quite a few chuckles…although of course I’m always worried that people will see one side of a topic and not look any further.

Before anyone jumps up and down in protest, yes, numerous ‘bonded’ rabbits genuinely enjoy each other’s company. No doubt, they appreciate grooming sessions and this is wonderfully satisfying for us to see. Chances are by sheer luck the owners managed to choose a pair (or more) of rabbits that have easygoing, submissive personalities. However contrary to these, please take into account that some are quite capable (if not bound and determined) of causing harm to any species – including humans! These obstreperous rabbits believe they have utmost superiority to all others in their domain/territory

Well I certainly agree that my buns believe firmly that they have utmost superiority LOL byt easygoing, submisive personalities?! ROFL

I find the cancer part rather… funny. Cancer is evidently not relevant in Australia, its an American thing! lol. Like being in America automatically makes cancer more prevalent, and being in Australia makes it non-existant… yeesh.

Posted By Cassi&Charlie on 12/14/2009 10:33 PM
I love that page, thanks for posting it JG. Gave me quite a few chuckles…although of course I’m always worried that people will see one side of a topic and not look any further.

Before anyone jumps up and down in protest, yes, numerous ‘bonded’ rabbits genuinely enjoy each other’s company. No doubt, they appreciate grooming sessions and this is wonderfully satisfying for us to see. Chances are by sheer luck the owners managed to choose a pair (or more) of rabbits that have easygoing, submissive personalities. However contrary to these, please take into account that some are quite capable (if not bound and determined) of causing harm to any species – including humans! These obstreperous rabbits believe they have utmost superiority to all others in their domain/territory

Well I certainly agree that my buns believe firmly that they have utmost superiority LOL byt easygoing, submisive personalities?! ROFL

That made me LMAO too!  We just *happen* to pick two bunnies who get along perfectly… no work goes into it.  Anyone who bonds knows that 99.9% of bunnies don’t fall in love at first glance and NEVER have a scuffle…  but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the short-term inconvenience and stress from bonding…  This person’s argument is basically that no one should have two or more bunnies, ever?  Is it really better that a rabbit have companionship from a cat or dog… (or turtle?!) rather than one of its own kind?!  Nonsense!

Oh well sorry guys but mine was love at first sight! But then again i was lucky! My real theory was that I had two rabbits that where all alone and wanted a friend

I got to thinking about how I linked that page last night and…I might be overly cautious but just wanted to say; I’m not trying to slander the entire site. I’ve visited it before and quite enjoyed alot of it. Actually, I’ve even posted stories from it in the Lounge before. It’s some of the Myths and Misconceptions page that I’m a little unsettled about. It just goes to show how varied opinions can be on certain issues.