also: あなうさぎ
noun
European rabbit
Refers specifically to Oryctolagus cuniculus, the common rabbit species native to southwestern Europe and introduced elsewhere. In Japanese, it is distinguished from native hares (ノウサギ).
アナウサギはペットとしても飼育されている。
European rabbits are also kept as pets.
オーストラリアではアナウサギが野生化して問題になっている。
In Australia, feral European rabbits have become a problem.
ノウサギ refers to native Japanese hares (genus Lepus), which are different from the introduced European rabbit (アナウサギ).
Compound of 穴 (ana, 'hole') + 兎 (usagi, 'rabbit'), literally 'hole rabbit', referring to its burrowing habit. The katakana spelling reflects its status as a biological species name.