Can rabbits swim, and if so, how far?

RABBITS CANT SWIM!
my mom put mine in the pool to see if it could and it swam for a little but water got in its lungs and it died 15 minutes later.
it was sooo sad, PLEASE DONT TRY TO MAKE YOUR RABBIT SWIM!
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Actually, rabbits do swim for fun: http://www.petoftheday.com/archive/2002/June/23.html

If they are exposed to water very early and shown how to swim, yes, rabbits can swim and some seem to enjoy it, going in shallow pools on their own.

Yes, as in most animals, they are born with that ability. Most swimming by rabbits is done only to escape.How far is not easy to answer. That depends on how big of a threat it is. Do you get the idea? If their den is flooded, it might be only several feet. They do not "Go swimming for the fun of it"

My rabbit loves to be in water, and can swim, but I'd recommend that you approach this very carefully. It's important to ensure that the water is clean and completely calm (or the water could get in his eyes, eyes or mouth), and that the rabbit is comfortable with being in the water.
I found out that my rabbit could swim when he was about 10 months old, it was a very hot day and I'd taken him to eat some grass by a (very clean) local lake in the shade. He was looking too warm so I sat him at the edge of the lake, in a centimetre of water - which he loved and instantly started grooming, it must have been a relief to cool down. Curious, I gently encouraged him into water that was 3 inches deep so he could still sit if he wanted (the bank had a very gentle gradient) and he just took off swimming! He is a fast strong swimmer! Sometimes he likes to float instead.
However, I don't suggest teaching your rabbit to swim. It could distress him, or dirty water could make him sick. Unless you can try it with utmost consideration for your rabbit's well-being, it's kinder not to try at all.

yeah they can swim. ive seen mice swim too.

They can swim...not forward...under...and they go all the way to the bottom...

Swamp rabbits can swim, one attacked Jimmy Carter.

http://www.narsil.org/politics/carter/killer_rabbit.html

I put mine in the pool today, I made sure her head was fully above water and she just froze and played dead. They might swim if they are taught how when they are young. It just depends on the rabbit's personality.

We just watched a rabbit from a nearby park swim across a lake to get to a little island. Saw something "little" with 2 ears sticking up in the water paddling away. What!!??? Looks like a swimming bunny! Spotted him about 2/3 of the way across. Estimating total trip was about 200 yards. Quite a trip for a little brown bunny. Kind of chilly right now. Watched until "it" made it to the other side. Sure enough. Hit shore and that little white tail hopped off into the trees on the island. That is how I ended up here....a net search. Never heard of, much less witnessed such a thing.

That site is kinda flukey, of course 1 rabbit in a million might "enjoy" swimming but for the most part its a prey response necessitated by a predator

Rabbits can swim but are hardly ever seen swimming on their own free will. this applies mainly to pet rabbits but it is often true in wild rabbits and hares.

I would never reccomend a rabbitt to swim, obviously bathed in an appropriate manner where as you would a child hold your pet closely and wash with the other hand. My rabbitt enjoys a nice bath but never makes any attempt to swim And i could not honestly see a rabbitt swimming. And also I did see water ship down and they actually did swim the river but being a film thats obviously dramatised!!!

The other day was ridding sea doo's at a lake afriend came up beside me and said there is a rabbit in the water swimming I laughed never saw the rabbit a week later we are sitting close to the water my husband look there is a rabbit in the water swimming. The rabbit got out and dry himself off by shaking and licking I never seen this before I am a farm girl grew up around cotton tails didn't know they would get close to water twice I have seen this yes rabbits swim very well.

My son was having a bath with my rabbit watching when all of a sudden he jumped up into the bath and started to swim like an otter. I got him out and dried him when he ran and hopped back in again and swam. So this proves rabbits can swim!!!!

Rabbits absolutely can swim. I have seen a rabbit swim for 50 feet in a pond, with my lab close, but falling behind. I was amazed how fast he was going, got out and bolted up a hill. With those huge back legs they can develop quite a bit of power. His head was way above the water.

Yes in a pot ;P

RABBIT STEW!

I wouldn't...though they do have powerful limbs, im sure their coats get soaked and very heavy, adding more weight for them.