[Breeding and rearing of the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) in captivity]

In August, 1979, one female and three male wild volcano rabbits (Romerolagus diazi) were obtained and attempts have been made to rear and breed them in the laboratory. Mating was attempted from the 3rd month after the volcano rabbits were obtained and the first birth (two offspring) occurred after about one year. Thereafter, the same female gave birth three times and a total of 10 offspring have been obtained. Four females and three males could be weaned. The period of gestation was estimated as 34-48 days. The body weights at birth were 25-27 g for females and 32 g for males, and after three weeks, the weights had increased to 80-130 g for females and 95-128 g for males. Weaning was possible at 3 weeks of age. Volcano rabbits are small with an adult body weight of 400-600 g and they are also gentle animals. They should prove valuable if they can be established as laboratory animals in the future.