Ask the Naturalist

-- by Kyle Waggener

Question:  I found bunnies that have been abandoned by their mother.
What do I do?

Answer:  At first glance it may appear that the bunnies have been abandoned. But the mother is actually in a “form” (a depression in the ground for resting and hiding) away from the nest during the day so she doesn’t attract predators to the nest. The mother is watching her babies from her form and may defend the nest from intruders. She comes to nurse the babies at dawn and dusk, covering the nest with grass and fur when she is away. There is also the possibility that something has happened to the mother. If you aren’t sure, put a cross of twigs or yarn across the top of the nest and keep children and pets away. If the twigs or yarn haven’t been disturbed by the next morning the bunnies may need help from a professional wildlife rehabilitator. Never move the bunnies unless they are in immediate danger. Rabbits die of stress very easily. I know of one wildlife rehabilitator who was raising orphaned bunnies when someone accidentally slammed a door and literally scared them to death.

Young rabbits are on their own when they are three to four weeks old! At this age they measure four or more inches from the tip of their nose to their tail in a hunched up position. If you have to chase the bunny to catch it, it doesn’t need to be rescued. If the bunny is “frozen” and won’t move, this doesn’t mean there is something wrong with it. This is part of their camouflage. Rabbits can sit still without any perceptible movement for 15 minutes or longer. They can even go from a laid out position to a hunched up position so slowly that a human observer wouldn’t be able to see it move.

If you do encounter an animal that is need of help please call the Nature Center at (423) 821-1160 and we will connect you with a professional wildlife rehabilitator.