What is soft, furry, clean, and curious and actually makes a decent pet? A rabbit. Yep, rabbits are one of the few species that we take on our Oakland Zoo ZooMobile outings and feel it is ok to choose as pets, with proper care and preparations, of course (not so much for the hedgehogs).
While I don't personally own rabbits, I live in an intentional community that does and I believe they are a fine addition to the family. The two of them spend time in their hutch or their insta-fence yard and are tolerant of children hopping up for visits, including a 3 year old. They seem to recognize me as the "lady who gives them fresh figs" and act excited to see me. I am glad that they offer the children in the community an opportunity to take some responsibility for an animal. I like the opportunity to teach about adaptations of prey animals, personally.
Rabbits are indeed the ultimate prey animals. With their huge eyes on the sides of their heads to see all around, their humongous rotating ears for hearing the faintest sound, their speedy, zig-zaggy run for the quick, dynamic get away and their ability to thump a warning to other rabbits, these animals are designed to escape a predator. Of course, It is this hardwiring that also makes some of them skittish pets.
My favorite thing about all lagomorphs is their ingenious two-poop system. One dropping is called a cecotrope and contains essential nutrients, so naturally, rabbits will ingest this dropping. The second poop is the pellet-like dropping that we all recognize.
Many would also argue that rabbits are messy, boring, unrewarding, destructive and difficult to care for, and I have seen this as well. Perhaps it depends upon the individual rabbit, its history and the care that is being given.
Any design ideas for a better hutch?