For more details refer to GEN The care and management of dogs used for pest animal control. Health and safety considerations General safety precautions for using agricultural machinery must be followed. People can be killed or seriously injured falling from moving tractors, being run over by tractors, or being crushed when a tractor rolls sideways or backwards. Tractors must be fitted with an appropriate rollover protection structure. Operating heavy machinery on sloping ground can be dangerous.
The maximum slope that can be ripped varies with the nature of the surface and each site must be accurately judged for safety. A measuring device should be used to assess the degree of slope if unsure of the limits.
Rough ground will reduce the slope suitable for ripping. Tractors are unsuitable on steep slopes, whereas tracked machinery, such as bulldozers, are more stable. Equipment required Machinery The type of equipment used for ripping will depend on soil type, size and topography of area to be treated, cost and availability. From an animal welfare perspective, more powerful equipment is preferred as the warrens are more likely to be completely destroyed. Rubber tyred conventional tractors are best suited for treating areas with low numbers of warrens on relatively flat and non-clay soils.
Smaller tractors are more cost-effective for follow-up ripping and where travel time between warrens is high relative to the time spent ripping. Steel or rubber-tracked equipment may be more efficient for areas with large numbers of warrens on steeper slopes. Large machinery is most cost-effective for initial ripping operations.
A ripping tine on an excavator ripper arm can be effective in awkward locations. A blade plough may be the most appropriate type of equipment in areas with sandy soil that is at risk from wind erosion. Rippers with single, double or triple tines can be used depending on the tractor available and the soil type. If multiple tine rippers are used they should be no more than 50cm apart.
Procedures Assessment of site and estimation of rabbit numbers To maximise effect on rabbit populations, a careful on-site risk assessment to should be undertaken. For large areas, experienced spotters on motorbikes can log the location of warrens using GPS before warren destruction commences.
The density of rabbits on the site should be estimated using spotlight counts and warren monitoring. The location and numbers of rabbits on neighbouring properties should also be approximated. If the density of rabbits is high it is best to poison or fumigate beforehand so that few rabbits are left. If it is suspected that native wildlife are using the warren, their presence can be determined by using sand pads — a 1m 2 area of raked earth or sand outside of the warren entrance- to detect and identify footprints.
Contact your vertebrate pest control local authority for more information and advice on site assessment and monitoring of rabbit numbers. Ripping procedure Clear warrens of logs, rocks, woody weeds and large shrubs etc. Take care not to endanger any native wildlife that may be using the harbour. It is important to drive any rabbits in the area underground before ripping takes place.
This can be achieved by making loud noises or using dogs to work the area, chasing the rabbits into the warrens. Most rabbits will be underground during the middle of the day especially when the weather is hot.
All warrens with open entrances should be ripped even if they are not currently active. Explosives may be needed if warrens are inaccessible refer to Rabbit warren destruction using explosives. Rip the warrens to a depth of at least to mm and at least 2 to 3 metres beyond the edge of the warren to destroy burrows that have entrances on the edge of the warren and lead outwards.
The deeper the ripping the greater is the destruction of the warren system. In some areas cross-ripping may be necessary. In my experience burrows tend to go further underground in open countryside — possibly because the rabbits make them that way to avoid predators.
The burrows concealed with dense cover are likely to be nearer the surface. Wild rabbits will burrow almost anywhere; fields, woods, sand dunes, marshland, railway embankments, golf courses …. You can never say with certainty just how deep is the average rabbit burrow because a lot depends on the rising water levels. Always observe the recommended weights of explosives when setting up charges and never use less than the minimum length of safety fuse as set out in the relevant legislation for explosive use.
Appropriate personal protective equipment, including long trousers, boots, helmet and a face mask or safety glasses must be worn. Always crimp a detonator to fuse with special crimping pliers. Do not leave explosives where they can be hit by flying fragments. All persons, animals and vehicles should be well out of range of flying fragments. Debris can be thrown up to metres. Blasting produces oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Exposure to these fumes may induce methaemoglobinaemia which causes hypoxia and cyanosis. Take care not to return to the site until fumes have settled. If fumes or combustion products are inhaled, transport the affected person to hospital or a doctor. Information on occupational health and safety aspects of using explosives can be obtained from the relevant State or Territory authority. Equipment required gram charges of ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil ANFO.
Crimping pliers for crimping detonator to fuse. Procedures Assessment of site and estimation of rabbit numbers To maximise effect on rabbit populations, a careful on-site risk assessment should be undertaken. Map the location of all warrens, take note of surface harbour and topographic features.
For large areas, experienced spotters on motorbikes can be used to log the location of warrens using GPS before warren destruction commences. The density of rabbits on the site should be estimated using spotlight counts and warren monitoring. The location and numbers of rabbits on neighbouring properties should also be approximated.
If the density of rabbits is high it is best to poison or fumigate beforehand so that few rabbits are left. If it is suspected that native wildlife are using the warren, their presence can be determined by using sand pads — a 1m 2 area of raked earth or sand outside of the warren entrance- to detect and identify footprints. Contact your vertebrate pest control local authority for more information and advice on site assessment and monitoring of rabbit numbers.
Blasting procedure Clear warrens of loose logs, rocks, woody weeds and large shrubs etc. Take care not to endanger any native wildlife that may be using the harbour. All warrens with open entrances should be destroyed even if they are not currently active.
It is important to drive any rabbits in the area underground before blasting takes place. This can be achieved by making loud noises or using dogs to work the area, chasing the rabbits into the warrens. Most rabbits will be underground during the middle of the day especially when the weather is hot. There are two main ways of applying explosives to warrens: Borehole method Involves inserting charges into holes strategically bored across the warren.
With this method the force of the explosion is well below ground and there is limited disturbance to the surface. This gives a better collapse of the warren and reduced the likelihood of forming craters. Holes are bored using a 50mm diameter auger. The best depth and spacing for borehole charging will depend on warren depth, soil type and amount and type of surrounding vegetation. Burrow entrance method Involves inserting charges down burrow entrances.
This method is more likely to lead to the formation of craters, which may cause erosion and could encourage re-colonisation by rabbits. The charges are positioned as far down the burrow as possible, using a shovel handle or a long stick. Assessing effectiveness The effectiveness of warren blasting should be monitored by noting the presence of re-opened entrances days after treatment.
Hares have evolved to live in some pretty extreme conditions, from the frigid tundra of the far north to the heat of southern deserts, and their living arrangements reflect that. In colder climates, hares like the Snowshoe Hare or Arctic Hare will dig shelters into the snow. Normally solitary animals, these hares will gather in small groups and huddle for warmth in these snow shelters.
Jackrabbits — which are actually hares — live in the deserts of the southwest U. Recognizable by their elongated ears that help dissipate body heat and their massive hind legs which allow them to run at speeds in bursts up to 40 mph, jackrabbits will rest during the heat of the day in shallow depressions in the shade and forage for food at night.
These desert dwellers will gather in groups so they can warn each other of any impending dangers or threats. Rabbits kept as pets typically inside the home, either in a cage, roaming free or a combination of both. A rabbit cage should be at least five times the size of the rabbit so it can stretch out and stand without bumping its head. Your rabbit will likely spend the bulk of the day in its cage since rabbits sleep during the day. The cage should be lined with cardboard and include a litterbox for the rabbit to use, much like a cat.
Pet rabbits need several hours a day of exercise outside the cage to run, jump and explore and that can be a great time to play with and interact with your pet. Just make sure you remove anything they can chew — like electric cords, toxic plants and cleaning products — before letting them hop around freely.
Rabbits raised for meat can live in a barn or a shed and should be set up in a secure cage or hutch. Their cage or hutch should be lined with straw on the floor and cleaned out once a week with the old straw replaced with fresh straw. The rabbits should always have plenty of clean food and fresh water, shade and good ventilation. Wild or domestic, rabbits and hares have evolved to survive in their unique and species-specific habitats.
And humans have evolved right along with them by domesticating them for food or companions.
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