I can’t think of a single person that would not be able to find the temptation to cuddle a baby bunny in their presence. Unless you’re extremely heartless! However, in the case of backyard bunnies, this temptation must be dealt with a tad differently.
Ontario Wildlife Removal Inc in the U.S. released a short video educating the public, as it is more evident that so many people seem to be unaware of what to do when finding baby rabbits in their gardens. Baby rabbits, known as kits, are very commonly native to Northern America, and the mating season lasts for a fair amount of time between March to September. More recently, Jared Houliston, head of the pest control service, explains in the video that they receive more and more calls about backyard bunnies asking what the best action is.
So what would you do if you found cute little bunnies in your garden? Jared explains that it is extremely common for the public to be concerned and want to move the bunnies or interfere, which is the complete opposite of what you should do! He continues to state that in fact, unless the babies are obviously injured or hurt, it is best to not disturb them at all. The mother rabbit, even if not seen, visits the nest once/ twice a day, as to not draw attention. Rabbits are very tactile, burrowing shallow nests in open grassy areas near bushes/ trees, meaning that predators will not be a threat as they don’t usually venture out into open space. In actual fact, humans and pets are more of a threat to these cute little creatures, as the nest simply resembles a patch of dead grass. This can be dangerous as it is easier to accidentally mow over the nest or any animal like our pet pooches sniffing around!
What is the solution then? Simple. Cover the nest with fresh grass, be aware that the nest is there, and keep any domesticated animals away from the area. This is only for a short period of time, as the babies will grow quickly and be gone within a couple of weeks. And even if you’re reading this in an area where rabbits aren’t native.. at least you get to read about cute little bunnies!
For more information, check out the video here. YOU WON’T REGRET IT!
UnorthodoxScience 