Cottontails

Frequent Situations

Someone found a nest with healthy bunnies. The nest is not in danger but no mother seems to be in the area.

Mother rabbits only come by to feed her babies at dusk and dawn.

If the nest is not in danger, do not disturb the nest or babies. Trust that the bunnies are being taken care of.

While mothers are only at the nest for a few times a day, she is safely in the wings, out of sight, watching the nest. A disturbance to her nest will not deter her from caring for her young but do not continue to check the nest. Repeated disturbances will scare the mother and force her to abandon the nest. Do not give food or water to the babies.

Someone found a baby bunny outside of the nest.

Check the baby for signs of immediate need. (See above.)

If there are any signs of immediate need, bring it into the Nature Center.

If the baby is healthy, return it to the nest.

If a healthy baby bunny is found outside the nest or someone has removed it, returned it to the nest and then cover with grass. The mother will be back to take care of them. Instruct everyone to stay away from the nest for a few weeks so as not to frighten the mother away.

A nest was mowed over.

Check the baby for signs of immediate need. (See above.)

If there are any signs of immediate need, bring it into the Nature Center.

Return to or remain in the nest.

Inspect the babies if you mowed over a nest. Remove any dead ones. Healthy babies should be returned to or remain in the nest. Put all fur back into the nest and cover with a small amount of grass clippings.

Mother knows best.

The mother is the bunny’s best opportunity for survival. Leave it alone and stay away so you won’t frighten the mother. Flag the location to help avoid it. When the bunnies are about 3-4 weeks old they will leave the nest and you can resume mowing of that area.

Continue to be aware as they will be moving about in the yard. They are learning to hide and perceive what danger is. They may ‘freeze’ and not move when a mower or weed eater approaches. Give them time to move away on their own.

A cat found a cottontail nest.

Cats have mouths full of bacteria that will kill a cottontail in a short time. If a baby cottontail has been in a cat’s mouth, regardless of visible injuries, bring it to the Nature Center.

If the babies have not been in a cat’s mouth and don’t show any signs of immediate need (see above), they should be returned to or remain in the nest. Put all fur back into the nest and cover with a small amount of grass clippings. Leave it alone and stay away so you won’t frighten the mother. The mother is the bunny’s best opportunity for survival.

Keep the cat(s) inside until the babies have left the nest (about 3 weeks old, tennis ball-sized).

A dog found a cottontail nest.

If a baby cottontail has been in a dog’s mouth and shows immediate signs of need (see above), bring it to the Nature Center.

If it has been in a dog’s mouth and does not have injuries, it should be returned to the nest. You may bring it to the Nature Center for assessment if you are unsure.

Healthy ones should be returned to or remain in the nest. Put all fur back into the nest and cover with a small amount of grass clippings. Leave it alone and stay away so you won’t frighten the mother. The mother is the bunny’s best opportunity for survival.

There are several ways to keep a cottontail nest safe from dogs.

• Keep your dog(s) inside unless they are ties up, away from the nest.
• Cover the nest during the day.
  Cover the nest with a milk crate or laundry basket during the day. Weigh this down with bricks or rocks. Or a wheel barrel, kayak, fire pit cover or some similar object may be placed over the nest. Make sure there is a space big enough to allow the mother to come and go. Remove before nightfall after the dog is in for the evening. Place over nest again in the morning before you let the dog out.
• Restrict access to the nest.
  Wire fencing can be placed around the nest. Make sure the gaps in the wire are big enough for the mother to fit through. You can also place cinder blocks, with the openings on the side, around the nest. This will allow the mother to move in and out. You can place a wire or a weighted-down board on top of the cinder blocks to keep dogs out.
  
  Bunnies open their eyes after 1 week and are completely out of the nest after 3 weeks (tennis ball sized). Mother rabbits only feed their young at dusk and dawn so make sure the babies are accessible during these times and you stay away at these times.

A nest has been flooded.

Keep them warm and quiet.

If the babies are OK, take them inside and warm them up. Warming items might include a heated water bottle, heated rice bag or hand warmer. To create a heated rice bag, fill a sock with uncooked dry rice. Microwave the rice-filled sock for 30 to 60 seconds. This heat source will last about 20 to 30 minutes. Place the heat source in the box or container under a towel, and place the animal on or near it, but not directly in contact with the heat source.

The most important thing is to keep them warm and quiet. Keep the container away from people, pets and noise.

If possible, return them to the nest.

If, by nightfall, the water has receded, return them to the nest. You can also help dry the nest by physically removing standing water and patting the nest dry with paper towels or rags.

If the nest is at the bottom of a slope or hill, you can construct a wall or barricade around the side of the nest that receives the rain run-off. Plastic landscaping border works well in these situations.

To help keep the nest dry during heavy rains/storms, you can implement temporary cover over the nest. Place a wheel barrel, kayak, fire pit cover or some similar object over the nest. Make sure there is a space big enough to allow the mother to come and go.