Promoting the understanding of nature and the protection of wildlife
Rabbit
Rabbits nest from March through September and can have a litter every 28 days. The average litter may contain four to five babies. Mother rabbits feed at dusk and dawn. You are not likely to ever see the her. Baby bunnies are born without a scent This keeps them safe from predators. Please refrain from handling them with bare hands - they will smell like you. Please do not feed them as human food can kill them.
IS THE RABBIT INJURED (BLEEDING, BROKEN BONES, PUNCTURE WOUNDS, BEEN IN A CAT’S MOUTH, OPEN WOUNDS, ETC.)?
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If YES, take the rabbit to your nearest wildlife veterinarian or contact us.
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If NO, see below.
Is the rabbit fully furred with its eyes open?
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If YES, and the rabbit is larger than a baseball and weighs more than 4 ounces or 100 grams (about the weight of a stick of butter,) it is on its own and does not need human intervention.
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If NO, attempt to locate the nest (a shallow depression on the ground possibly lined with rabbit fur and/or grass; rabbits do not burrow) and place gently back in the nest. Do not handle the baby more than necessary to place back in the nest. Nests can't be moved successfully over one foot. Check back briefly once a day for two days. If the rabbits appear to be plump and healthy, leave them alone. If the rabbits appear thin and weak, have wrinkled, baggy skin, this is a sign that the nest is abandoned -contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
(919) 428-0896 Our Wild Neighbors
Warming the animal is very important - click here for How to Warm.
Young rabbits disperse from the nest at 15-20 days old. By three weeks of age, they are on their own in the wild and no longer require a mother’s care.
NOTE : Each animal’s nutritional, housing, and handling requirements are very specific and must be met if the animal has any chance of survival. Cow’s milk and milk replacers will make wild animals sick and even kill them. Raising a wild animal in captivity is illegal unless you have a state permit.
