Rabbit
(side).
©PDPhoto.org.Rabbits are considered one of the most damaging and destructive
introduced animals ever brought to Australia.
Rabbits cause Soil Erosion and Land Degradation. These long-eared pests ringbark (cutting away bark in a ring around the tree and killing it) trees and eat the seedlings therefore giving the plant species no way of growing back; Compete with native animals for habitat and food, such as the Greater Bilby which is now endangered,
They add majorly to the rate of decline of native fauna. E.g. Rabbits and Goats have eaten out the Phillip Island Hibiscus (Hibiscus insutaris). Only 2 clumps remain. Rabbits, sheep, cattle, goats, horses and camels are just as bad as foxes and cats when it comes to the effect these animals have on the delicate ecosystems of Australia.
Not only do these animals affect the native flora, but they have a huge effect on the populations of other native animals. This feral monster competes with small animals, such as the Greater Bilby and the Brush-tailed Bettong, which were once found all over Australia.
These animals, just like the rabbit, are burrowing animals. When the rabbit population gets so bad that there is no food left for the other animals, they start to die off. As soon as this starts to happen, the rabbits go in and take over the native animal’s burrow. Resulting in reduced habitat for the animals.
These two little, native marsupials were at the brink of extinction due to the combined effort of Foxes, feral Cats and Rabbits. There have been massive campaigns to save these two little marsupials, which have been successful, but there is still the threat. This is why we have to eradicate feral animals.
Rabbits cost the Australian economy millions of dollars each year due to the competition with livestock for food. They eat the most nutritious grasses and leave none for the livestock with the result of the animals dying. This decrease costs the economy millions and causes Soil Erosion and Land Degradation.
