Wild Rabbits in the Dominican Republic: Absent by Nature and History

There are no wild rabbit populations in the Dominican Republic. The island of Hispaniola (shared with Haiti) never had native rabbits.

Why No Native Rabbits?

• Island Biogeography: Hispaniola separated from mainland ~100 Ma. Rabbits (family Leporidae) evolved in North America/Eurasia; never dispersed naturally across ocean barriers to Caribbean islands.
• Native Mammals: Only native land mammals: hutias (rodents), solenodons (insectivores), bats. All endemic.

Introduction Attempts

European colonists brought domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) in the 16th–19th centuries for food. Some escaped, but:

• Predation: Feral cats, dogs, mongoose (introduced 1872 for rats), raptors
• Competition: Native hutias, introduced rats
• Disease: Myxomatosis, rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV) in Caribbean
• Climate: Tropical heat/humidity unsuitable for European rabbit physiology

Current Status

• Domestic only: Kept in hutches for meat/pets; no established feral populations
• Pet trade: Some breeds kept indoors (AC essential)
• Hunting: No rabbit hunting; hunters target introduced species (deer, peccary) or native hutias (illegal)

Contrast: Other Caribbean Islands

• Cuba: No wild rabbits
• Puerto Rico: No wild rabbits
• Jamaica: No wild rabbits
• Bahamas: No wild rabbits
• Curacao/Aruba/Bonaire: No wild rabbits

Rabbits are absent from the entire Caribbean naturally. The only lagomorphs in the region are introduced pets/livestock.