"echinosum" wrote ...


Bob Hobden; Wrote:
"Jonathan" wrote -
Is it Myxomatosis coming back?

-
I don't think it ever went away.

Rabbit populations go in cycles because the myx spreads more virulently
when the population density gets above a certain level. A similar effect
can be seen in grouse populations with a (natural) parasite affecting
those. Then there are food availability issues as mentioned above.
There are indeed very few rabbits to be had at the moment, as a friend
of mine who shoots them to eat has noted, he got none at all last year.

Rabbits used to be very common (and native) in Spain, and the myx has
made them permanently rare, which is a contributor to why the Iberian
lynx has become so very rare, being a rabbit specialist. I'm not sure
why it has been a permanent population suppressant in Spain when it runs
in cycles in Britain.


It is very noticeable that there are a lot of rabbits to be seen around here
on the grass verges even during daylight, often getting squished if they get
it wrong.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK