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Rabbits

Eradication: Rabbits are one of Australia’s major agricultural and environmental pests. Help us eradicate from the Sunshine Coast. They damage pasture and crops, cause soil erosion and compete with native animals for resources.

Rabbits are one of Australia's most destructive invasive species. They cause severe damage to agriculture, native vegetation and biodiversity. Their burrowing leads to soil erosion, and their grazing impacts crops and native plants.

Identification and habitat

  • Usually grey-brown with a pale belly (may also be ginger, black or white).
  • Short front legs and long hind legs
  • Long ears.
  • When running, the tail usually points up.

Rabbits live in areas where the soil is easy for burrowing and digging. Low numbers of rabbits have been managed in the Mary River Catchment. Rabbits prefer tussock grasses and areas littered with fallen timber. They have also been found under buildings, in old machinery and in waste facilities.

Why rabbits are a problem

  • Compete with native wildlife for food and habitat.
  • Destroy crops and pastures, reducing productivity.
  • Cause soil erosion and land degradation.
  • Support populations of other pests like foxes and wild dogs.

Services available

Sunshine Coast Council offers practical support to help manage rabbits.

  • Onsite property assessments.
  • Coordination of community control programs for effective, large-scale management.
  • Provision of rabbit trapping equipment for landholders.
  • Assistance to set up and operate traps correctly and safely.
  • Humane euthanasia service for trapped rabbits.

How you can help

  • Familiarise yourself with the difference between rabbits and hares.
  • Report rabbit sightings or damage to Council.
  • Never keep or release rabbits into the wild–it's illegal under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014.
  • Public awareness: Educate friends, family and neighbours about the risks of pet release.

Similar species

European hares (Lepus europaeus) are known to occur in our local government area. Hares are not prohibited or restricted under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014. There is no need to report a sighting of a hare.

Resources

You can identify a rabbit (above) from a hare by the size of its body and ears. Rabbits are generally smaller than hares and have shorter ears.

You can identify a rabbit (above) from a hare by the size of its body and ears. Rabbits are generally smaller than hares and have shorter ears.

A hare (above) is generally larger than a rabbit with longer hind legs and longer ears. They are usually a golden-brown colour with black markings on their ears.

A hare (above) is generally larger than a rabbit with longer hind legs and longer ears. They are usually a golden-brown colour with black markings on their ears.