Welcome to In The Back Yard - where we have small thoughts about living alongside wildlife.
Understanding Wildlife.
Most wildlife does not need rescuing.
Yet baby season comes around and hundreds of baby animals are kidnapped in the mistaken view that they are in trouble.
The wild rabbits found around our area are Eastern Cottontails.
Babies are born in shallow, grassy depressions in the ground lined with their mother’s fur. Mother rabbits spend very little time at the nest – so as not to attract predators. She returns to the nest usually at dusk and dawn. So if you see a nest and babies all alone – leave it alone.
If you disturb the nest and the babies are not injured – rebuild the nest as best you can with the original materials, put the babies back inside and cover them up.
If you are not sure if the mother is returning – put 4 twigs or strings in a tic tac toe pattern over the nest – if they are disturbed 12 to 24 hours later the mother is returning.
By the time they are 3 to 4 inches long they have all their fur and are highly independent.
If you see one on its own it is likely not in need of human intervention.
Additional Thoughts:
Wild rabbits do not need much interference from humans, and the best way to help them is to provide a natural, safe habitat by planting Native Plants.
A shallow, outdoor water bowl gives rabbits a clean place to drink, especially during freezing or dry spells. A heated wildlife water bowl is a great option to help all wildlife in your back yard including Cotton Tails.
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