Is it true that outdoor rabbits have shorter lifespans?

I doubt that's true. I have two rabbits that have been alive Forever! We can't even remember when we got them. Its been at least 10 years or so. They are always outside and never in. We provide ours with straw and towels in winter for added warmth and 2 liter bottles filled with frozen water in the summer to keep cool. But rabbits are originally from the outdoors with varied climates and weather elements. So long as they get proper food, water and shelter, they should be perfectly fine.

This is a misleading fact because it's based on statistics of people who keep their rabbits outdoors. The people who came up with the data found the average years outdoor rabbits live and compared it to indoor rabbits, so technically, no, the rabbits don't live longer indoors. The problem is, more fatalities occur in ones living outside because of outside dangers. Your outdoor rabbit can live a long life if you take the proper measures to keep it safe. The two main killers are predators and heat.

It's not true.

Rabbits do just fine outdoors IF they're kept in the right conditions. In fact strictly indoor rabbits can suffer from vitamin D deficiency as they don't have the opportunity to sun bathe!

The right conditions outdoors include being in the right climate, not very hot summers and not bone chilling winters. The UK for instance, perfect climate for outdoor buns albeit a bit soggy. Space is also important, tends to be easier outdoors, so need at least 60-100 square foot at all times. Many outdoor bunny keepers build aviaries and sheds to house their rabbits, a piddly little hutch will kill a bun.

Predator and weather proofing is also important. So snugglesafes, insulation and waterproofing in the winter, cool shade and icepods in the summer.

See here for GOOD housing:

http://pinterest.com/catcatxx/rabbit-housing-wall-...

My pair are outdoors (am in the UK) and 8 years old. Still going strong.

Some outdoor rabbits do have shorter lifespans. People who raise them for food usually house them outside in hutches. Some times when they reach fryer age which is around 4.5 to 5 lbs or 8-12 weeks old the raiser butchers them.

100% true

Outside rabbits rarely live over two years. The illness was caused from being outside.

Outside rabbits rarely live long and that's been long proven, just becouse a tiny handful manage to defy the odds doenst mean anything., The long standing truth is most die from preventable illness, parasites, cats, being stolen, running off, and more.,

And only lazy people keep rabbits outside

In most cases yes. Rabbits can overheat, freeze to death, get killed by a wild animal/dog/cat, get stolen, get fly strike etc etc.

yes i think so :)

hope i helped