Rabbits
(Pic: by Fir0002
Rabbits were introduced into south eastern Australia from England in 1858. Over the next 60 years their numbers spread across the southern half of the continent to inhabit an area of 4 000 000 sq km. Colonisation occurred despite the erection of thousands of kilometres of barrier fences and was marked by great population eruptions and crashes and by severe environmental disturbance. The rabbit is thought to be the most destructive pest ever introduced to Australia. Average longevity is very short with over 80% of animals dying before the age of 3 months but, once adulthood is reached, the mortality rate falls. Animals of 2 or 3 years of age are not uncommon. The principal causes of mortality are myxomatosis which was introduced in an effort to control them and predators such as foxes & feral cats. Numbers are currently being held in check by an unstable alliance between fox & cat  predation, myxomatosis and climatic variability.)

Blogs