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When I was a kid, I absolutely loved hidden object games. I might be showing my age here, but the original games were cluttered illustrations with a list of objects to find by scanning the picture. I relived this love again when my son was about six, and we spent hours searching for the elusive boy in a red-and-white-striped jumper in "Where’s Wally?". Now, one of my favorite things to do on our farm is to scan the landscape for hidden creatures. I know they’re there; it’s just a matter of observation — a skill I’ve honed over time.
A few weeks ago, I was walking through a particular part of our farm when I spotted a beautiful native icon — an eastern short-beaked echidna. When I went to take its photograph for my iNaturalist account, I noticed another creature hiding in the landscape: an iconic feral species - a rabbit. I posted this picture on the Field Naturalist’s Club of Victoria Facebook page as a fun challenge: “Spot the native, spot the feral.” The post received some great comments and interaction, but the sad thing is that feral species like rabbits are often far easier to find, and they wreak havoc on the landscape. Wherever there’s suitable soil for digging warrens, you’ll find rabbits.
Domesticated rabbits arrived in Australia with the First Fleet, and the first feral rabbit population was reported in Tasmania as early as 1827. On mainland Australia, an English Grazier, Thomas Austin freed about a dozen rabbits on his property, Barwon Park Mansion near Geelong in Victoria, in 1859 as game for shooting parties. In 2022, a study of genomic data confirmed that Australia’s feral rabbit population was entirely descended from the rabbits introduced by Austin!
It’s devastating to see the damage rabbits have caused, even on our small property. The most visible impact is the large warrens they build, which lead to soil erosion. They also graze on native grasses, resulting in plant biodiversity losses in some areas.
I don’t have any definitive answers to the rabbit problem on our farm. Local farmers have been waging a war on rabbits for decades. However, understanding how just a dozen rabbits multiplied into a nationwide issue reminds me how history can teach us vital lessons about protecting biodiversity. It also highlights how the actions of one person can have far-reaching impacts on native wildlife.
When I spot native flora and fauna on our farm, I often think about what they must endure to survive in such a competitive environment. I also reflect on what I can do to ensure they have a thriving habitat. Thankfully, for the eastern short-beaked echidna, our farm provides plenty of hollow logs and anthills. These anthills are vital because echidnas use their sticky, saliva-covered tongues, which can extend up to 17 cm, to slurp up ants and termites.
While feral species like rabbits pose challenges, they also serve as a reminder to me of the importance of preserving and protecting native biodiversity on our farm.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of exploring and recording biodiversity in your local area, have a look at my Citizen Science Workshop. This workshop is designed to inspire and empower participants to use tools like iNaturalist to document and contribute to conservation efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of the natural world while making a meaningful impact.
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