Living With Rabbit Neighbors
If you find a sick, injured or orphaned rabbit, learn what to do here!
Here are some common questions and concerns about having rabbits as neighbors. Eastern Cottontails adapt well to a variety of human habitats and are extremely common throughout North America. By taking advantage of a cottontail’s nervous nature, fast growing babies (kits) and the fluctuations in population levels, it is easy to coexist with them.
Can I Relocate a Rabbit Nest?
No matter where a rabbit’s nest is located, it is very dangerous to move the nest and its babies!
Cottontail kits do not have a scent, protecting them from nearby predators. However, it is also difficult for mom to find her own babies if they are moved. Mother cottontails are also sensitive to change and may abandon the nest if there is too much activity around. Luckily, cottontail kits leave the nest around two weeks old and are completely independent of their mother within four weeks.
Dogs are a danger to infant and juvenile cottontails because rabbit nests are located in shallow holes in the ground. Curious pets can easily find and access the babies inside. Dogs should be supervised outdoors during the spring/summer to ensure rabbit nests remain protected. If you know a nest is in your yard, consider leashing your dog or taking them to a different part of your property. You also can cover the nest while your dog is outside. People have successfully used laundry baskets, milk crates and pallets. Once weighted down, these ventilated covers prevent pets from accessing the nest. Be sure to uncover the nest before dusk and leave it uncovered until after dawn the next morning so that mom can come back and feed the babies.
In 2019, the wildlife center received a call about a nest of cottontails in a large planter.
Mom returned everyday to feed the babies. The caller created a ramp to allow the babies a safe descent once they were ready to leave the nest.
How Can I Prevent Rabbits From Eating My Garden?
An abundance of food is hard to pass up for many wild animals. One way to prevent rabbits from entering your garden is to protect it with a small fence. Chicken wire and other types of metal mesh fencing are strong enough to keep out rabbits and only need to be about 2 feet tall. Rabbits are not excellent at digging and are unlikely to tunnel under a fence. However, it is advised to bury the fence at least a few inches to increase security. Because of their timid nature, rabbits strongly dislike new sounds, smells and sights in their habitat. Moving objects such as pinwheels and old CDs work well. Motion activated sprinkles are often successful for smaller areas, too. Predator smells (such as yours or your pets) can also deter a rabbit from coming back.
What Should I Do if I See a Nest of Rabbits in My Yard While Mowing?
Cottontail nests simply look like small piles of fur in the yard. The nests are in very shallow depressions but are difficult to see. Consider walking your yard each time before you mow to ensure you do not see any disturbances or fur that may indicate a nest. If a rabbit nest is found but has not been disturbed, simply avoid mowing a few feet around it for two to four weeks. If the nest has been mowed over, put on gloves and carefully check the babies for injuries. If you find an injured baby or there is blood in the nest, contact a wildlife rehabilitator. If the babies are uninjured, simply place the kits back into the nest. Cover the nest with any remaining fur or vegetation that was lining the nest. Mom visits the nest only twice per day and will reline the nest with fur when she returns.
Do you still have questions after reading the information above? Contact us or a local wildlife rehabilitator!
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Resources
Answering the Call of the Wild by Erin Luther. Toronto Wildlife Centre
Behavior of North American Mammals by Mark Elbroch and Kurt Rinehart. Peterson Reference Guide
Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife by John Hadidian. The Humane Society of the United States