Bunnies are the babies
most often unintentionally kidnapped by well-meaning
people. Rabbit nests are left unguarded most of
the time, with the mother on the nest only twice a day
for feeding. Both feedings are done at night,
when her presence will not attract predators.
Try to assess whether
the babies seem warm, active, and have round tummies
(bloated looking) or if they are cold, thin, and dehydrated.
On bunnies that don't have much fur yet, you can see
a white milk line in their tummy if they've been fed.
If you think the nest is abandoned, place 4 pieces of
string (dental floss works well) in an #(tic-tac-toe)-pattern
across the nest and leave it overnight. If it
is disturbed in the morning, the mother has returned
and the nest should be left alone. This method
is only trustworthy if the babies eyes are not yet open.
If their eyes are open and they are getting bigger they
may be coming out of the nest during the day and returning
at night.
If the nest has not
been disturbed, check the babies to see if their bellies
look full and round. If not, keep them warm, do
not feed and call WRC (636) 677-3670.
If the nest is poorly
located, cut the grass around it or cover with something
that will allow the mother to get to them, but not predators
(Put an upside-down wheelbarrow or a lawnmower over
the nest.) If it really bothers you not to mow
there, you could gently take them out mow over it and
put them back in EXACTLY the same location, but make
sure they still have their fur and dried grasses to
cover them. Yes, mom will still accept her babies
if they've been touched by humans, but don't handle
more than absolutely necessary! The babies are
fragile and easily stressed so don't let the whole family
or neighborhood hold them. They need peace and
quiet. It won't be inconvenient for long, the
babies usually leave the nest at only 2-3 weeks of age.
Never try to move the nest! Mom doesn't find them
by smell, she knows where they are geographically and
even a 2-foot difference can throw her off.
Whatever the situation,
if you feel they are compromised, please give us a call
and we can help you assess the situation. However,
please do all you can to keep the babies with their
mother. Rabbit mothers are much better at raising them
than humans are.
.JPG "Baby Bunny")
