Although often seen during daytime most rabbit activity takes place at night and close to the warren. Because most grazing is done close to home the grass is kept very short. This creates a wide-open area leaving nowhere for predators to hide - rabbits have a good sense of smell and excellent hearing, and their prominent eyes allow 360-degree vision. When danger threatens, a rabbit warns others in the colony by thumping with the hind foot. A flash of white from the under side of the tail as it runs away also serves as an alarm signal. When threatened a rabbit's first instinct is to run away, if danger is very close it will freeze, relying on it's camouflage for protection.

Rabbits were first introduced to Britain from continental Europe in the 12th century. They provided a valuable source of meat and fur. Once established they remained a profitable part of the rural community, but in the last two hundred years have become major agricultural pests.