Rabbits were introduced to Australia in the 1800s and spread quickly across the continent, moving into the nests of native burrowing animals and eating their food. What allowed the nonnative rabbits to spread so quickly in Australia?

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were introduced to Australia in the 18th century with the First Fleet and eventually became widespread. Such wild rabbit populations are a serious mammalian pest and invasive species in Australia causing millions of dollars of damage to crops.