The whole concept of the Easter celebration is based upon the myth of bunny eggs, which may make the rabbit owners inquisitive that if their pet rabbits will actually lay eggs, or do they normally give birth to their babies. Thus we would like to describe the process and burst the myth at the same time.
Contents
Does rabbit lay eggs?
Rabbits, like other mammals, give birth to litter and each time they can produce 5-6 babies. Though there are chances that the litter contains up to 12 babies, usually the number limits within 6. The babies are produced when the female rabbit mates with the male one and they stay pregnant for a month before delivering the babies.
However, not babies but eggs are related to the rabbits when it comes to the myth. This is because the embryo is the basic form of all life and it is popularly believed that the egg from the rabbit will symbolize prosperous earth. Thus not babies, but eggs are connected with the rabbits, while in reality there is nothing such as egg-laying rabbits in this world.
There are several other myths related to baby bunnies. Unlike the myth, the mother rabbit does not deliver them from her mouth. They come out in the normal path like other mammals.
What is the Easter bunny?
As the myth goes, there are rabbits called Easter bunnies that can lay eggs on the day of the Easter celebration. This is how the good children find the eggs and they become happy as they get it as the prize for their good behavior.
It may make many wonders that as there are rabbits that do not lay eggs, are there any special kinds of rabbits that are called Easter rabbits? But the reality is, that there may be various kinds of rabbits but Easter rabbits are not one of them.
How the idea of egg production is connected with rabbits?
This is totally based on the myth of the Easter egg. According to the pagan belief, the eggs that are attached to the Easter program are symbols of spring and that is also a symbol of prosperity and fertility. Rabbits produce babies more than once a year, no other creature but rabbits have been selected to be the symbol of fertility.
On Easter day, according to popular belief, the good children get colored Easter eggs and other gifts that are left by the Oschter Haws or Easter hares. These Easter hares are said to lay eggs for the good children so they get prizes for their good behaviors.
This concept of egg-laying rabbits lies in the misty pages of history. This program of Easter is celebrated near the time of Spring Equinox which indicates the beginning of season spring. This also indicates the beginning of the harvesting season which is related to the fertility of mother Earth.
When the rabbit becomes able to produce babies?
Rabbits are fertile creatures and they are able to produce babies from a very young age, that is, three and half months of age. However, this is the age mentioned for the female rabbits. Male rabbits take longer to become sexually mature. They are able to produce sperms from the age of seven months. Because of this fertility rate, rabbits can become mothers, grandmothers, and even great grandmothers in their single lifetime.
Baby production can be stopped when the rabbits get neutered. Neutered rabbits are unable to produce babies and they tend to live more than the ones with normal production ability. It has been proven by citing several incidents.
The regular and frequent baby production shortens their life span but that is normal for creatures like rabbits. When in the wilderness they spend their life producing babies. Also, their babies do not always get a chance to live their full life as they are food for many predators. That is why nature has designed rabbits to create numerous babies in a single lifetime.
Why rabbits cannot lay eggs?
Rabbits are mammal critters. Like the regular mammals, their baby production process includes nurturing the embryo inside the uterus of the female rabbits. After a month of pregnancy, the rabbit babies are born in a group and they are sized like peanuts.
There are several different kinds of mammal and their baby production methods are different. Placental mammals produce their babies after northing them in their womb for a certain time. Rabbits can keep their babies healthy and hearty in their womb for not more than a month. Their body function continues normally.
Does any rabbit lay eggs ever?
There are certain mammals that lay eggs but rabbits do not fall into this category. There are mammals called monotreme mammals that can lay eggs. They are warm-blooded but their body temperature is not as high as that of regular mammals. With this reptile-like body temperature, they also lay eggs which is yet another similarity of them with the reptiles.
Platypus and Spiny Anteater are two mammals that lay eggs and they are not connected with any kind of myth or celebration. The egg-laying process of these two animals is not the same and it is obviously not like the egg lying process of reptiles or other creatures.
But Easter bunnies are not among these creatures that lay eggs and thus it will not be right to think that rabbits lay eggs like these ones.
Why the idea of rabbit laying eggs is yet so popular?
The bunnies are connected with the Easter festival and the Easter festival is connected with the arrival of spring. This celebration will be continuing as and when the time of the year comes. The egg-laying process of the rabbits is a symbol of the earth’s fertility.
Kids and even young adults take part in the Easter egg program and thus, they would be happy to celebrate the days with the search for colored Easter eggs. This will be a fun and entertaining program for the kids so they may or may not know the real fact about the egg-laying bunnies.
They should and will come to know about the real fact regarding the egg lying process of rabbits when they will get matured. Till then they can have fun and enjoy the experience of Easter.
More:
Can Rabbits Die From Loud Noises?
Can Rabbits Chew Through Plastic, Metal Wire, Wood?
