Rabbits can breed for the first time at the age of three months. They have a gestation period of about 31 days and there can be anywhere from 4 to 12 young in each litter. What would be the most likely long-term consequence if a breeding pair of rabbits were released into an ecosystem with no predators large enough to eat a rabbit?
The rabbit population would grow slowly and then plateau at a level that could be supported by the available vegetation.
The increasing rabbit population would cause predators to grow larger to take advantage of the new food source.

Question

Rabbits can breed for the first time at the age of three months. They have a gestation period of about 31 days and there can be anywhere from 4 to 12 young in each litter. What would be the most likely long-term consequence if a breeding pair of rabbits were released into an ecosystem with no predators large enough to eat a rabbit? 
The rabbit population would grow slowly and then plateau at a level that could be supported by the available vegetation. 
The increasing rabbit population would cause predators to grow larger to take advantage of the new food source.

anonymous · Answer

The growth of the rabbit population would encourage the vegetation to grow faster to provide for the increased number of rabbits. 
The rabbit population would grow quickly until all the edible vegetation was gone and then the rabbit population would crash.

anonymous · Answer

The rabbit population would grow quickly until all the edible vegetation was gone and then the rabbit population would crash.