Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Rabbit is a keystone species of the Sefton Coast dune system — without Rabbit grazing, the short, flower-rich turf and bare sand patches that support Sand Lizards, Natterjack Toads and dozens of specialist invertebrates would succeed to rank grass and scrub. Rabbits were introduced by the Normans and have been in Britain for 900 years. On the dune system they're everywhere. Foxes, Stoats and Buzzards all depend on them. Despite their abundance, UK populations have crashed by 60% since the 1990s due to myxomatosis and RHD2 disease.
At a Glance
| Order | Lagomorpha |
| Family | Leporidae |
| Habitat | Dune grassland · Dune scrub · Farmland · Pinewood edge |
| Diet | Grass, herbs, bark, Heather shoots — feeds above ground throughout the night |
| UK population | Around 40 million — declined by 60% since 1995 due to disease but still abundant |
| Sefton Coast | Abundant throughout the Sefton Coast; the Rabbit is a keystone species of the dune ecosystem |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Everywhere on the Sefton Coast — dune grassland, scrub edges, pinewood edges, farmland.
Identification
Unmistakeable. Brown-grey above, white below, white cotton tail. Long ears with black tips. Long hind feet. Hops in bounds. Active dawn and dusk but also daytime in undisturbed areas.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Visible everywhere at any time of day — easiest at dawn. Watch any open dune grassland for movement. Rabbit scrapes (bare earth patches) and droppings are everywhere on the dune system.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is of moderate conservation concern. Population monitoring and habitat management on the Sefton Coast support its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Rabbits so important for the Sefton Coast dune ecosystem?
Rabbit grazing maintains the short, open dune turf that specialist plants and animals require. Without grazing, coarse grasses and scrub shade out low-growing specialists like Wild Thyme, Carline Thistle and the orchids. Bare sand created by Rabbit burrowing is essential for Sand Lizard egg-laying and Natterjack Toad breeding pools. Paradoxically, the 'pest' species is a conservation cornerstone of the dune system.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.