What do I do if I have found a Baby rabbit(s).
The best place for baby rabbits is with their mother, and every effort must be
made to keep the family together. Please be careful not to kidnap babies from
their mothers!
Please do not attempt to feed or give water to injured and orphaned wildlife.
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All alone in their nest?
Mother rabbits only return to feed their offspring at dawn and at dusk. It
is normal for the nest to be unattended all day long. You may never see
the mother because she is so careful not to lead predators to her babies.
People and pets should be kept away from the area, especially around dawn
and dusk so the mother will not be frightened to return.
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Hopping around all by itself?
A healthy looking baby rabbit with its eyes open and ears up, around 4-5
inches long is able to survive on its own and is not in need of any help.
Baby rabbits mature at 4-5 weeks of age while they are still quite small.
It should not be disturbed.
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Whose nest has been destroyed?
The nest can be repaired or reconstructed. In the original nest location,
rearrange the original nest material and/or dry grass from the area so
that there is a slight depression in the middle of it. Place the babies in
the depression and cover them lightly with some more grass to conceal them
from potential predators. Leave the area, and the mother will return at
dusk to feed them.
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In the middle of my lawn, and I'm afraid my dog/cat might harm them.
Do not try and move the nest or remove the rabbits. The rabbits best chance
for survival is in the wild due to their extremely sensitive nature. If your
pet can not be kept inside for a couple weeks, there are other things you
can do to keep the rabbits safe and your pets happy. For example, placing a
weighted-down laundry basket upside down over the rabbit's nest during the
day may be sufficient to protect the baby rabbits from small outdoor pets.
To keep larger dogs out of trouble, a barrier of chicken wire should do the
trick. Be sure to remove the laundry basket or chicken wire before dusk so
that the mother can return, or leave an opening large enough for her to
enter.
A baby rabbit should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator for immediate
assistance if...
- It has been attacked by a dog or cat
- Its mother is known to be dead
- It has been injured, e.g. by a lawnmower
- It is covered in insects
- It is laying on a sidewalk/open area all alone with no nest nearby
If the baby rabbit is in need of care from a wildlife rehabilitator, do not
forget to keep it in a warm, dark, quiet box until further instructions are
given.
