Baby Bunnies

Editor’s Note: “Baby Bunnies” is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.

Baby bunnies – especially cottontail rabbits are common patients at CROW, especially during ‘baby season.’ Breeding season for rabbits in Florida is nearly year-round but is mainly February through September. Mother rabbits are known for leaving their babies alone in the nest for long periods of time to avoid attracting predators to their young. The mother usually returns twice a day, at dawn and dusk, to feed the babies. The mother may appear absent, but she is nearby looking over her young.

Here at CROW, we often receive baby bunnies that have been brought in by individuals who believe they are abandoned or in danger. While these good intentions come from a place of care, it is important to understand that many times these bunnies do not need rescuing.

At CROW, we encourage the preventative program, “If You Care, Leave It There.” If you come across a baby wild animal, it is best to leave it there for several reasons. Babies have the best chance of survival when left with their mother as she provides the necessary nutrition and care that licensed wildlife rehabbers can come close to, but cannot perfectly replicate. Removing baby bunnies from their natural environment can cause extreme stress and could potentially lead to health problems.

The abduction of baby bunnies can also lead to complications for the animal’s success in the wild. Baby bunnies miss out on learning crucial survival skills from their mother, such as finding food and recognizing predators. When handled by humans, bunnies can imprint on them, losing their natural fear of humans, which increases their risk of predation and injuries after release if raised improperly.

If you come across a nest of baby bunnies, please remember: “If You Care, Leave It There.” If you are concerned for the safety of the bunnies or it is injured, contact CROW or your nearest wildlife rehab center for guidance before taking any action. Experts can help assess the situation and determine if intervention is necessary. Never attempt to raise baby bunnies on your own. Improper care can lead to gastral intestinal issues, malnutrition, and can cause bunnies to die from well-intentioned individuals. If the animal is unable to be reunited with its parents, a licensed wildlife rehabber is the animal’s next best chance at survival.