5 baby cottontail rabbits at The Witter Wildlife Refuge are beginning to open eyes (Note eyedropper as size reference) Photo by James Orr

We have had two baby bunny rescues in the last two weeks.  As such we now have five extra mouths to feed here at the Wildlife Refuge.

Unlike most babies that have to eat every 3 to 4 hours, bunnies eat only 3 times per day, about every 8 hours.  They are about the only baby animal we care for that allows us to get a  full nights sleep between feedings.  They are just now starting to open eyes which is always a thrill to experience.

Baby rabbits are left alone in the nest most of the time.  The mother returns to nurse 3 times per day.  If you find a rabbit nest assume the mother is nearby and leave it alone unless the babies are in immediate danger.  If a dog or cat is threatening them you might be able to simply place a box over the nest until the threat is gone then remove the box to allow mom’s access.  Rabbit nests are usually shallow depressions in grass lined with the mothers fur. 

Rabbits in rehabilitation care drink one of the richest nursing formulas we make.  It is a combination of puppy replacement milk, goat milk and heavy cream.  They are also one of the fastest maturing wild animal ready to strike out on their own after as little as three weeks after birth.  To put that in perspective deer and bear stay with mom over a year, possums over 24 weeks, and squirrels 12 weeks. 

Rabbits are not rodents but belong to the “Lagomorphs” species.  Of  this unique club, “ Lepus” refers to hares and jackrabbits whereas true rabbits like our cottontail friends are classified as “Sylvilagus”.  There are 12 species of  cottontails and their relatives in the United States.  They can range in color from gray to brown.  They can have up to six litters per year with an average family size of three to five but as many as ten.  Cottontails will not cross breed with domestic rabbits.

Rabbits can live two to three years in the wild but few survive predators beyond the first year.  Rabbits are particularly fond of briar patches because the thorny brush provides cover and protection from predators.  Rabbits escape danger by running in zigzag patterns but generally cannot run faster than 20 miles an hour.  Their zigzag escape route usually plays out into a large circle working their way back to where they started.  They will often remain virtually motionless for long periods of time to avoid detection by predators.

They feed on leafy vegetation during warm months and buds and bark in Winter.  Rabbits are most active at dusk and dawn.  They must eat their own feces in order to get full nutritional value from their food “coprophagic”. They produce green and brown feces but only reinjest the green, generally at night.

If you’ve heard the expression “Breeding like rabbits” Australia can confirm it’s relevance.  Rabbits were non native to Australia but were introduced as a possible food source  in the 1800’s with catastrophic consequences.  They reproduced faster than potential predators could control them and they devastated crops and grasslands.  Twelve rabbits eat as much as one sheep and with over a billion rabbits grazing freely estimates put annual losses  at over $90 million in product and $20 million in control efforts. Rabbit fences thousands of miles long virtually crossed the continent of Australia to try to contain the furry fellows.

There massive numbers led to an explosion in the predator numbers who in turn decimated small native  prey animals that could not reproduce as fast as the rabbits.  The loss of  native animals and vegetation triggered  erosion problems.   Fortunately for us our rabbit population has remained under control due to natural system checks and balances between predators and prey.

DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount  it is greatly appreciated.  Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.

See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife