At first glance, the water rabbit is no different from the rest of their fellows.
However, it is worth getting to know him better, as his unique ability to swim at once becomes obvious, escaping in water from predators.
Let's learn more about this interesting and unusual animal.
External description
Water rabbit (lat. Sylvilagus aquaticus) - a large mammal of the Zaitsev family. Its external characteristics are:
- color - from red-brown to dark with brown and black specks; belly, front surface of the neck, lower part of the tail - white; around the eyes is a light brown ring;
- wool - soft, long, fluffy;
- body - rounded, strong, proportional;
- head is large, oval;
- eyes - large, oval, black;
- ears - small or medium;
- legs - long, wide, hind ones much larger;
- body length - 45-55 cm;
- tail length - 50-74 mm;
- weight - 1.6-2.7 kg.
The long tail helps the water rabbit to freely tack, changing direction while avoiding danger. A pointed front teeth serve as an excellent tool for eating green twigs. By the way, two long front teeth are constantly grinded and continue to grow throughout life.Did you know? When a predator appears, the water rabbit runs overland in zigzags, trying to entangle traces, and in water it sinks completely, leaving only the nose on the surface. However, he cannot stay in the water for a long time, therefore, having gone from pursuit, he immediately returns to the land.
Lifestyle, nutrition, reproduction
The animal is nocturnal, hiding during the day in the thickets of high grass, tree trunks, under bushes or other shelters, and only with the onset of darkness goes in search of food.
Its main enemies are large predators - wolves, wild dogs, alligators. Fleeing, the rabbit can reach speeds of up to 48 kilometers per hour.
Habitats
The animal lives in the south and south-east of the United States in Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina. For his home, he chooses wetlands with water bodies and swamps and arranges a nest in natural recesses: he often places him in the hollow trunks of fallen trees, lined with grass and his own down.
The water rabbit is very difficult to meet in natural conditions, as an excellent hearing and smell allows the animal to hear a stranger in time and hide from prying eyes. This animal belongs to the territorial - the male controls the area from 0.1 to 0.8 km and designates the borders of his possessions with a secret located on his chin.
Important! The swamp rabbit lives in the same area, however, it is rather difficult to confuse them, since the swamp is much smaller and faster.
What feeds on
The water rabbit feeds on all the green food available to it:
- tree leaves;
- fresh grass;
- water plants;
- vegetables, root vegetables;
- cereals;
- bark, branches, shoots of bushes and trees.
With a temporary lack of feed, it can eat its own feces, especially since solid feed is not digested immediately and comes out in the form of green-litter. Eaten feces are already allocated in the form of brown litter.
Check out the breeds of fast-growing rabbits, ornamental rabbits, white rabbits, fur and down rabbits, meat rabbits.
Breeding features
Water rabbits breed rather quickly, mainly in the period from February to August. In very hot areas, for example, in the state of Texas, rabbits breed all year round. For the year in one female occurs from 1 to 6 okrol.
Before the advent of babies, the rabbit carefully builds a nest with a side entrance, using grass, leaves, and any rags. Often, large hollows of trees or digging in the stumps act as a nest. In addition to the nest, the female builds several more deception nests in order to secure her offspring as much as possible. 
Bearing rabbits lasts 35-40 days. On average, three babies are born in one litter with the maximum number of them - 6. Rabbits are born already with wool, but they begin to see only towards the end of the first week of life, and another week later they try to crawl out of the nest, which causes the rabbit some trouble. Toddlers fully mature to independent living about a month after their birth. Their sexual maturity comes at the age of 30 weeks.
Important! The average life span of a water rabbit in nature is 3-5 years, and at home it is from 4 to 15 years. This indicator depends on several factors - genetics, food quality and conditions of detention. By the way, sterilization prolongs the life of the animal.
The Case of Jimmy Carter
One of the most famous stories that occurred with the participation of river rabbits, was the unexpected meeting of the 39th US President Jimmy Carter with one of them. This happened in 1979, when the president rested in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, and went fishing alone by boat. 
According to the stories of Jimmy Carter, the rabbit suddenly appeared in the water and began to aggressively pursue the boat, gnashing his teeth, making a hissing nose and trying in every possible way to get into it.
Did you know? If you remove all the potential enemies of rabbits and allow them to multiply without limit, then after a few decades, one rabbit will live on every square meter of our planet.
The confused president had no choice but to sprinkle it with water using the paddle and try to drive the animal away. This incident was filmed by a staff photographer at the White House from the bank of the river, and later information about it was leaked to the press.
Opponents of Carter did not fail to take advantage of the incident to ridicule the president, presenting his rule as helpless and weak. And the press has awarded the animal the nickname "rabbit killer", hinting at the bloodthirsty character from the famous film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Singer Tom Paxton, in turn, was marked by a parody on this occasion and included the song "I Don't Want a Bunny Wunny" in his new album. 
Should I keep at home?
This type of rabbits is not recommended to keep at home, since they will have to create special conditions - to build a reservoir. It is necessary for good health and satisfaction of the natural needs of the water rabbit.
If you put him in a cage, it will lead to a lot of stress, because these animals need a vast territory. In secluded conditions, they will feel uncomfortable and constantly yearning.
Learn how to breed, how to feed rabbits, especially in winter; what they get sick with, and also what their diseases are dangerous for a person.
The water rabbit is a rare and almost unique species that is used to freedom, spaciousness and water. And people can only admire him, watching from the sidelines. Fortunately, although not so long ago it was on the verge of extinction, now the population of these animals is gradually recovering. 
