Eastern cottontail rabbits don’t nest underground like most rabbits. Instead, they dig a shallow hole in the ground and line the nest with leaves, dry grass, and fur. Once the babies are born, the mother rabbit covers the hole and checks on the nest twice a day. In approximately three weeks time, the babies are ready to leave the nest.
If you ever come across a rabbit’s nest, you may be tempted to protect the baby rabbits from possible predators. Here’s what to do if you encounter a rabbit’s nest in your garden:
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Do not move the nest.
Rabbits are very particular about the location of their nests. Since the mother always returns to check on her babies, the best solution is to simply leave the nest alone. Moving the nest could cause the mother rabbit to abandon her babies. If you suspect that a rabbit’s nest has been touched, look inside the nest. If the babies don’t seem to be in immediate danger, cover the nest and leave it alone. However, if the baby rabbits appear to be sick or malnourished, consult a veterinarian or animal services.
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Do not leave food or water or the rabbits.
Leaving food and water out risks luring other animals such as raccoons, possums, skunks, and cats. Minimize the risk by ensuring that no food is available to potential predators.
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Keep track of your pets.
Mother rabbits will sometimes choose yards with big dogs for their nests because dogs tend to scare predators away. If you’re afraid that your dog might harm the baby rabbits, you can either keep your pets indoors or on a leash until the rabbits are ready to leave their nest.
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What to do if the rabbits are orphaned:
To determine if a nest has been abandoned, drape strings over the nest in both a horizontal and vertical direction, similar to how you would in a game of tic-tac-toe. After a day, check on the nest again. If the strings have been moved, the mother rabbit has returned to the nest.
- Other ways to care for the baby rabbits:
– Put a marker or flag near the nest to help you remember where it is located. That way, you can make sure that you don’t disturb it.
– Put a temporary fence around the nest to protect it from curious children and pets. Make sure there is a hole in the fence for the mother rabbit to come and go as she pleases.
– Before mowing your lawn, make sure the rabbits are safely in their nest and away from any hazardous equipment.
If you think that you may have rabbits in your garden and are concerned about their safety, call your local Ontario SPCA branch. For assistance with pests who cause damage and are more insidious (rats, bats, raccoons, insects, call) Pro-Pest at (416) 487-4179.
