Have you ever wondered if rabbits lay eggs? After all, if it doesn’t reproduce in this way, why is it the symbol of Easter? Don’t worry, this is a common question, due to the popularity of this commemorative date in Brazilian homes.

Even though Easter is remembered for egg hunts or chocolate baskets, this festival is religious and has a series of symbols that are not always remembered by the general public. This is the case with fish, bread, wine, the Pascal candle, and bells, among others.

From the point of view of commerce and popular tradition, there is no way to compete with the fame of rabbits and Easter eggs, especially those made of chocolate. Find out how this relationship came about and whether a rabbit lays an egg, below.

After all, does a rabbit lay eggs?

Just like humans, dogs, cats, and almost all mammals, rabbits do not lay eggs. Belonging to the family of Leporidae, of the order of lagomorphs, it is viviparous, that is, an animal in which the development of the embryo occurs in the mother’s body, more specifically, in a placenta.

Different in several aspects, including appearance, the platypus is one of the very few species of oviparous mammals, that is, the embryos develop in an external environment, in an egg, without connection to the mother’s body.

In short, the rabbit is a mammal, so it does not reproduce in this way. So, make a note to explain this curiosity to the next person who asks if rabbits lay eggs.

On the other hand, it is difficult to understand why the Easter Bunny is such a present character during this festive season. Before we explain, how about reading about how rabbits reproduce? See below.

So how are rabbits born?

A rabbit’s pregnancy usually lasts 30 to 32 days, during which time the mother goes to a reserved corner, usually a den or nest, to give birth to her babies. If you’ve always been curious about following this process, know that it’s not that easy.

This is because the female tends to give birth at night and even in the early hours of the morning, without much indication that it is the big day. After all, she feels safe in the darkness.

If you have a rabbit at home, get ready! With each pregnancy, this animal has several offspring. Furthermore, breastfeeding begins immediately after birth. Therefore, always pay attention to precautions.

Where does the relationship between rabbits and Easter come from?

Like other Easter symbols, rabbits represent abundance and fertility, which is directly related to the ease and speed with which they reproduce.

In general, from six months of age onwards, when they reach sexual maturity, females can give birth more than four times a year, generating, on average, six to eight bunnies per litter.

The origin of the rabbit’s relationship with Easter is quite nebulous. According to the most common version, just one of several stories circulating around, it appeared at the end of the Roman Empire, a period in which attempts were made to convert the Germanic people, traditionally pagan, to Catholicism.

To facilitate the process, the church began to incorporate several traditions of these people, including the cult of the fertility goddess Eostre, represented by a hare. A more reasonable explanation, right?

There is also the theory that Mary Magdalene found a rabbit in Christ’s tomb, which was the first living being to witness the resurrection. Regardless of the origin, this association is really interesting, don’t you think?

And the eggs?

Remembering again that Christian Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ, eggs are a symbol of new life and renewal, a relationship that may not make sense to most people.

In Brazil, the tradition would have arrived with German immigrants, who had the habit of hiding painted eggs, decorated with collages and other forms of adornment. In fact, in several regions of Europe, it is not common to exchange chocolate eggs at Easter.

It is believed that the choice of the rabbit as the animal responsible for bringing and hiding children’s eggs has to do with the fact that, during Easter, which occurs in the spring of the Northern Hemisphere, the rabbit becomes more active, coming closer from villages and gardens in search of food.

Chocolate eggs would have been an invention of French confectioners who, back in the 18th century, had the great idea of ​​filling eggs with candy. Now, you know if rabbits lay eggs and what this toothy thing’s relationship is with the Easter holiday! Did you already know some of the explanations?

After reading all this and finding out if rabbits lay eggs, what do you think about unraveling some more mysteries of the animal kingdom? On our blog, you will find an extensive number of articles to read