Feral Fact - Rabbit Gestation periods The main breeding season of rabbits in south-west WA extends from about May to November, depending on availability of suitable green feed. The breeding season is usually shorter in other areas of the state. The percentage of pregnant adult females rises steadily through the breeding season to nearly 100% in July and August. Later, the pregnancy rate and average litter size falls. While breeding virtually ceases when pastures dry off, in the south-west, a small proportion of females can be pregnant in most months. Where favourable conditions for breeding persist, a single doe may produce up to 30 kittens in 6 or 7 litters a year. Female rabbits usually conceive their first litters shortly after the first autumn rain, ensuring the maximum number of litters are born while green feed is available. Gestation lasts about 30 days. Source: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/businesses/pests-weeds-and-diseases/animal-pests-diseases/pest-mammals/rabbit/?accordion=accordion49e2ba28a9fa4139af106f7ad110ce05 (fb)

ONE-LEAF CAPE TULIP (Moraea flaccida) This declared plant pest is originally from South Africa, introduced into Australia as an ornamental bulb. As the name implies, each plant has only one flat leaf which is long and strap like and arches from the stalk. New shoots are produced in winter before dying back to an underground corm in early summer, making the plant difficult to detect. One leaf Cape Tulip is highly toxic and poses significant threat to agriculture and to the environment. All parts of the plant are toxic to grazing animals, with cattle most likely to be affected. About a kilogram of fresh leaf material is enough to cause death overnight. Dry Cape Tulip remains toxic in hay. In most areas in the South West, this is the ideal time to control the One Leaf Cape Tulip to prevent seed set. If you have the One Leaf Cape Tulip on your property and would like to get on top of it, please get in touch with us on 0455 522 750 or email us on admin@bbisouthwest.org.au or pop into 104 Hampton St, Bridgetown. (fb)