The Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
The first wild mammal we often grow to love as children, with many of us growing up with a rabbit as a first pet. Rabbits are often used as a symbol of fertility or rebirth, and have long been associated with spring and Easter as the Easter Bunny. Many books, poems and films have been made about these wonderful creatures they have inspired many myths and legends with people carrying a rabbits foot as a lucky charm.
Known for their prolific breeding and digging habits, the rabbit is now very often treated as vermin. Introduced by the Normans and once a highly prized animal with the poaching of a rabbit 
resulting in serious penalties. The farming of rabbits has also been depicted in many medieval French tapestries. In one of Leonardo Da Vinci painting a ferret ( used to hunt rabbits ) featured in his painting ” Lady Ermine “.
