I can help since I obviously love bunnies!
Please keep the bunny indoors at all times. They do not tolerate heat at all and the Florida heat will most definitely kill him. They can also fall victim to predators (even neighborhood dogs) and diseases if they live outside. Plus, they're very social and will want to be inside where the people are.
You'll need a cage with a solid bottom (no wire floors) that is at least 6 times the size of the bunny. Get a litter box and some pelleted litter that is made for small animals. Don't use clay or cat litter and avoid shavings since they don't control the odor. Critter Country and Yesterday's News are good brands of bunny-friendly litter. Put the litter box in the corner of the cage and put some bunny poop in it. Bunnies prefer to use litter boxes rather than go everywhere in their cages. They are very neat and clean animals if you give them the tools they need to stay that way.
If the bunny is over 6 months old, give him Timothy pellets, but only about 1/2 cup a day. Alfalfa pellets have too much calcium and can cause kidney stones. They should only be given to bunnies under 6 months or pregnant females. Oxbox is the best brand of pellets. Once you choose a brand, you have to stick with it. Bunnies are creatures of habit and a new food will cause a hunger strike! Also feed bunny unlimited amounts of Timothy hay. Hay and fresh water should be available at all times. Water bottles are easier than dishes and keep the water clean.
You can feed bunny-approved veggies everyday. These include romaine lettuce (no iceberg), parsley and cilantro. Carrots are fine as a treat but no more than a small piece once a week because of their high sugar content. Small apple slices are also fine as an occasional treat. Remember that bunnies are vegans and don't have the ability to digest fat. They should not eat anything but grains, fruits and veggies and no processed human foods like crackers.
If the bunny is a female, she will need to be spayed as soon as she's older than 5 months. Intact females have an 85% chance of developing reproductive cancer by the time they're 5 years old. Spaying will keep them healthy and also improve nutty bunny behavior like nipping.
Male bunnies should be neutered when they're over 5 months. Teenaged boy bunnies are huge dorks because of an influx of hormones. They start nipping, spraying pee and ripping up their cages. Neutering almost immediately stops those behaviors by reducing the hormones levels. It takes up to a month for the hormones to stop completely but you'll be surprised at how quickly they turn into little gentlemen. Neutering also keeps them healthier.
Bunnies need daily exercise outside their cages in a bunny-proofed area. Cover cords with cord protectors or tuck them out of bunny's reach. Put away anything you don't want chewed (books, shoes, etc.). Keep a close eye on bunny during playtime to learn his habits. My girl bunny likes to chew things but my older boy bunny doesn't. My 1 year old twin boy bunnies are dorky and energetic and also like to chew. A clap of the hands and a sharp "no" can help break the habit. Also be sure to put plenty of chewable toys in the cage. Bunnies' teeth are growing constantly (which classifies them as lagomorphs and not rodents). They need to chew to keep them filed down. Check the pet store for safe chew toys, Timothy cubes and cage mats.
Another thing that's important to know about bunnies is that they're prey animals and basically at the bottom of the food chain. They're constantly on guard and in protective mode. If you swoop down from above to pick them up, they might think you're an owl and start freaking out. They're also wall-eyed which means their eyes are on the sides of their heads to better spot predators. When approaching a bunny that doesn't trust you yet, it's important to get down at their level and approach them from the side. After they get comfortable with you, it will be easier to keep them calm. Some bunnies like to sit on laps and be held and others don't. If your bunny resists being held, just sit on the floor next to him to visit with him. He will much prefer that!
With good care and indoor housing, bunnies can live 10 or more years! They are a long-term commitment and will provide you with many years of love and hilarity! We have so much fun watching ours and we love how excited they get when we come downstairs in the morning. Right now, my twin boy bunnies are loose in the family room and tearing around at top speed. My older boy bunny is in his cage and watching them like he's thinking, "Dumb kids!" By the way, unless bunnies are bonded, they should not be put together because they could fight. My little boys are bonded but my older bunnies are not so they have separate cages and separate play times.
Good luck with your new bunny. Please feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions.
