How Fast Do Rabbits Run? Wild + Domestic Rabbit Top Speed

Get ready for some lightning fast fun facts about our speedy, long-eared friends! Rabbits are secretly one of the quickest creatures on the planet, capable of blazing speeds up to 45 mph when they put their powerful hind legs into overdrive. Both wild and domesticated rabbits can sprint, leap, and zigzag at breakneck speeds to evade predators or just burn off energy. Curious how fast your own bunny could go if it was late for a very important date? Read on to learn about the amazing speeds rabbits can reach, how they leverage their unique physique to pull off rapid acceleration and agility, and even how to measure your pet rabbit’s top speed. You’ll never look at these cottontails the same way again after getting the inside scoop on their speedster secrets!

How Fast Do Rabbits Run?

Rabbits are remarkably fast animals, capable of running at speeds upwards of 30-45 mph. Their powerful hind legs allow them to accelerate rapidly and change direction quickly, making rabbits adept at evading predators in the wild.

Both wild and domesticated rabbits can reach high speeds, though wild rabbits tend to be faster over longer distances since they constantly need to evade predators and forage for food. Pet rabbits can sprint at high speeds but tire more quickly than wild rabbits.

On average, a healthy adult wild rabbit can sustain speeds of 25-45 mph when running at full tilt. Some sources estimate top speeds of up to 47 mph. The fastest domesticated rabbits can reach 30-35 mph. However, most pet rabbits reach speeds of 20-25 mph.

A rabbit's top speed depends on factors like size, breed, age, terrain, distance, and health. Larger rabbit breeds with longer legs like the Flemish Giant can cover more ground at higher speeds than smaller breeds. Wild rabbits that constantly flee predators are often faster than domesticated rabbits that live in safe environments.

Young rabbits under a year old may not reach top adult speeds. An older rabbit's speed will decline with age as muscles weaken and joints develop arthritis. Smooth terrain allows faster sprinting than rough or obstructed ground. Rabbits can only sustain top speed for short distances up to around 200-300 feet.

So while actual top speeds vary, it's clear rabbits are remarkably swift animals whether in the wild or as pets. Their speed allows them to escape predators and survive in the wild. Even domesticated rabbits retain an innate quickness and agility.

How Do Rabbits Move?

A rabbit's body is specially adapted for speed, agility, and evading predators through rapid movement. Rabbits are capable of several types of locomotion.

Here are the main ways rabbits move:

Hopping: This is the rabbit's default gait and the one associated with their great speed. The powerful hind legs propel the rabbit forwards in a series of quick synchronized hops. At full speed, their hops blur together into a continuous fast run.

Sprinting/Running: When escaping danger, rabbits will sprint or run by elongating their hops into bounding leaps with all four feet momentarily leaving the ground. This allows them to reach top speeds of 30+ mph.

Jumping: Rabbits can make vertical leaps of several feet into the air to escape predators or cross obstacles. Their long muscular hind legs provide powerful lift.

Burrowing: Using their front paws, rabbits can rapidly dig networks of underground burrows and tunnels to escape aerial predators.

Climbing: Rabbits have dexterous front paws adapted for gripping, allowing them to climb trees, ledges, rocks, and slopes to reach food or avoid ground predators.

Swimming: In emergencies, most rabbits can swim to cross water or escape predators. However, they do not swim recreationally and their fur becomes waterlogged.

These locomotion methods allow rabbits to adaptable and agile even at top speeds. Their muscular legs and rapid reflexes give them an edge when evading predators. Even domesticated rabbits retain much of this innate speed and agility.

How Do Rabbits Run So Fast?

Rabbits owe their remarkable running speed and agility to several key physiological adaptations:

Powerful Hind Leg Muscles – The hind legs contain large muscles that provide immense power for acceleration, jumping, and sustained speed. These muscles allow forceful propulsion with each hop.

Long Hind Legs – Having elongated hind legs increases stride length so rabbits cover more ground with each hop at high speeds.

Strengthened Skeleton – A reinforced skeleton including a fused spine provides stability and weight reduction for fast movement.

Large Heart & Lungs – Rapid sprinting requires high cardiovascular capacity, which rabbits have thanks to an oversized heart and efficient lungs.

Lightweight – A small, lean body and lightweight bones reduce energy expenditure at high speeds.

Streamlined Body – The compact, aerodynamic body shape causes minimum wind resistance for rapid acceleration.

To summarize, rabbits evolved long, muscular back legs for power; a fused spine and lightweight skeleton for efficiency; oversized cardio-pulmonary systems for stamina; and a streamlined build for velocity. These adaptations enable rapid bursts of speed as well as evasive maneuverability. Predators struggle to catch rabbits once they take off running. Even domesticated rabbits retain much of this natural athleticism and agility.

Top Speeds of Rabbit Breeds

Different rabbit breeds have varying top speed capabilities. Generally, larger breeds with elongated legs can cover more ground at faster speeds. Smaller, shorter-legged breeds reach lower top speeds over short distances. Some top speeds of popular rabbit breeds are:

Flemish Giant: 30-40 mph

The Flemish Giant is one of the fastest domestic rabbit breeds thanks to its very large size and proportionately long legs spanning up to 30 inches. This gives Flemish Giants both striking acceleration and endurance at high speeds over 35 mph.

English Lop: 25-35 mph

Despite their huge size, English Lops are speedy runners able to reach 30+ mph. Their muscular hind legs allow rapid acceleration from a standstill.

Jackrabbit: 35-40 mph

Jackrabbits are wild leporids native to North America known for their bounding speeds up to 40 mph, aided by long powerful hind legs.

Eastern Cottontail: 25-45 mph

The wild Eastern Cottontail rabbit common across North America can sustain speeds of 25-45 mph over considerable distances which aids its survival.

Netherland Dwarf: 15-25 mph

Netherland Dwarf rabbits are the smallest domestic rabbit breed and thus have lower top speeds, but can still sprint up to 20-25 mph.

Holland Lop: 15-20 mph

Holland Lops are compact rabbits that reach speeds of 15-20 mph. Their small size prevents prolonged rapid sprinting.

So larger rabbit breeds with elongated legs typically have the highest top speed potential, but even small rabbits can sprint at remarkably fast speeds.

How Long Can A Rabbit Run At Top Speed?

While rabbits can reach blazing speeds, they can only sustain their absolute top speeds for a short time and distance.

At full gallop, most rabbits tire after around 15-45 seconds. Wild rabbits have greater endurance and can run at near top speed for 1-2 minutes before needing to slow down. A rabbit's running stamina depends on:

Level of conditioning – Wild rabbits develop greater stamina from constantly fleeing predators. Pet rabbits may have lower endurance.
Age and health – Younger, fitter rabbits can run longer than elderly or unwell individuals.
Size and breed – Larger breeds have greater stamina for sprinting long distances.
Terrain – Smooth, flat ground allows longer sprints than uneven or obstructed terrain.
Motivation – Running for survival motivates longer exertion than playful sprinting.
Temperature – Very hot or cold temperatures impair stamina and limit prolonged speed.

While rabbits naturally must stop occasionally to rest and recover, they evolved remarkable speed endurance to help ensure their survival in the wild. Their muscular hindquarters contain dense mitochondria that provide energy for long sprints.

If necessary, a healthy wild rabbit can maintain speeds over 25 mph for 200 yards or more before needing to slow and get their second wind. Pet rabbits may tire sooner, but most can sprint at near top speed for at least 30-60 feet if sufficiently motivated.

Rabbit Speed Vs. Other Animals

Rabbits are considered one of the fastest running land animals relative to their size. Here's how their top speed compares to other quick animals:

Cheetah: 75 mph

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, capable of speeds over 70 mph during short bursts. Rabbits cannot outrun a cheetah at top speed.

Greyhound: 45 mph

Greyhounds are bred as racing dogs and can hit 45 mph. Rabbits can potentially outrun greyhounds in short bursts.

Jackrabbit: 40 mph

Jackrabbits are cousins to domestic rabbits and reach similar top speeds around 40 mph.

Horse: 55 mph

A thoroughbred horse at a gallop can sustain 50+ mph, outpacing a rabbit. But over short distances, rabbits can keep up.

Fox: 30 mph

Foxes rely on stealth rather than pure speed to catch rabbits. Rabbits can certainly outrun foxes in a sprint.

So while not the absolute fastest, rabbits do rank among the quickest mammals over short distances relative to their size. Their speed helps compensate for their small stature to avoid larger predators.

How To Measure a Rabbit's Speed

Here are two methods for accurately gauging your rabbit's running speed:

Stopwatch Method

You'll need:

Stopwatch or phone timer app
Measuring tape
Assistant
Measure out a straight 20-30 foot course on flat ground using a tape measure. Mark the start and finish lines.
Have your assistant hold the rabbit at the starting line while you stand at the finish mark with stopwatch ready.
On "go," have the assistant release the rabbit to sprint towards you while starting the stopwatch.
Stop timing when the rabbit crosses the finish. Calculate speed by dividing the distance run by the time elapsed.

Example: If the course is 30 feet and it takes 3 seconds, 30/3 = 10 feet per second. Convert to mph by multiplying by 0.68, so 10 x 0.68 = 6.8 mph.

Do several test runs and average the speeds. Give the rabbit rests between sprints.

Video Method