Nature photographer Benny Scerri has done it again, this time sharing a set of adorable and rare images of wild rabbits, known locally as ‘Fenek salvaġġ’, photographed just yesterday on Monday 2nd June.

While many in Malta associate rabbits with the island’s rich culinary tradition, it’s not every day you spot one roaming freely in the countryside, especially through the lens of a camera. That’s because the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), though relatively common in rural and rocky areas, is a shy and twilight-foraging species, rarely seen during the day.

Native to the Iberian Peninsula, the European Rabbit is believed to have been introduced to the Maltese Islands by the early Romans, or possibly even earlier. Over the centuries, it has become embedded in local tradition and cuisine, but its wild counterpart remains elusive and fascinating.

The European Rabbit is easy to recognise by its large eyes, long hind legs, and short, curved tail. Most have pale brown or greyish fur, though colour variations can appear even within the same habitat. Their primary diet consists of grass, but they’ll also nibble on roots when available.

Rabbits live in burrows dug deep into the soil, and their nesting habits are just as interesting as their appearance. Female rabbits, known as ‘does’, can produce over three litters per year, with each litter containing 3 to 12 young, or ‘iż-żrameġ’ in Maltese. These tiny bunnies begin to emerge from their burrow around three weeks after birth.

Males, typically larger than females, are polygynous during mating season, often mating with more than one female as they establish their territory.

Though still present in the wild, the European Rabbit faces threats in Malta due to urban expansion and habitat loss. It was once a vital food source and is thought to be the ancestor of many domesticated breeds used in local kitchens. Today, however, it is a protected species on the islands.

Hunting is strictly regulated, and anyone wishing to do so must acquire the necessary licences and adhere to conservation rules – all part of a broader effort to preserve this important part of Malta’s natural heritage.

These rare snapshots serve not just as adorable content, but as a quiet call to appreciate and protect the wild beauty still living among us.

Have you ever seen a rabbit in the wild?