The Rabbits (Farthing Wood)

The Rabbits are characters who appeared in the Colin Dann series, The Animals of Farthing Wood

Mr Rabbit is very prone to breaking down, easily crying and regularly complaining in any situation. He is extremely sensitive and frequently faints. During the journey he complains about his nerves and after injuring his paw on a thorn. When the larger animals offer to go foraging, Rabbit is dubious, claiming he is a "martyr to his indigestion". In the escape from the tractors he claims to have been sprayed and insists he's going to die, blaming Fox for this. The Hare's in particular are unsympathetic. During the thunderstorm, Rabbit then claims he is going to die of pneumonia, and complains when Whistler helps Weasel instead of him.

Mrs Rabbit was the wife of Mr Rabbit and easily panicked in bad situations. She was most well known for saying "Don't panic!" whenever something bad was happening, even though she would always say it an extremely shaky and nervous tone. At one point one of her offspring asks what is going on and when the other remarks that their mother is panicking, they conclude it must mean everything is fine.

In the episode "So Near And Yet So Far", the adult Rabbits are separated from the main group and end up stuck in a building site, where they take refuge in a pipe. The noise of a drill causes Mr Rabbit's teeth to chatter. They are eventually found by Whistler, who carries Mrs Rabbit out of the ditch. He finds Mr Rabbit too heavy and the latter insists he will die as a result of being left behind. Both Rabbits are rescued by Fox and are the last to return to the group.

Both rabbits, and one of their original offspring, made it to White Deer Park. One baby was nearly killed by a snare, but at Owl's direction he was saved by Mole tunnelling under the stake. Later, one of the babies was shot at a pheasant shoot.

In White Deer Park the Rabbits chose to stay on Farthing land, unlike the Hares. Mr Rabbit was quick to criticise their disloyalty. He also had trouble choosing a site to dig a warren, claiming he would have nightmares if he was on land where he could smell Scarface. They are scene during the winter, eating hay brought by the White Stag. Both Rabbits are apparently supposed to be taking part in the plan to rid the park of poachers, but after a brief argument, only Mrs Rabbit leaves the warren. Rabbit expresses his concern that his wife might get shot, and although she is confident he will be there to protect her, he returns to the warren. Mrs Rabbit then joins the Hares. Both Rabbits are seen celebrating with the other animals after Fox's triumph over the poachers.

The Rabbits have babies in the spring. Fox finds Mr Rabbit groaning in "agony" outside the warren in response to his mate giving birth.

Unfortunately, Mrs Rabbit was killed by Scarface as pay back to Fox, who had bested him in a fight.