Kinds of rabbits Biologists classify rabbits into 10 groups called genera and into many species within the genera. Numerous species, such as the volcano rabbit of Mexico, have become rare. The most widespread rabbits are cottontails and European rabbits. Domestic rabbits are tame varieties of European rabbits. Cottontails are wild rabbits of North America and parts of Central and South America.
Most species have fluffy white fur on the underside of the tail.
Perhaps the most common species is the eastern cottontail. They may also live in wooded areas bordering open country. European rabbits originally lived in southern Europe and northern Africa, and on some western Mediterranean islands. From these places they spread throughout Europe. People brought European rabbits to many other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and South America.