Wild Rabbit In Yard?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 9 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 06/03/2016 at 11:47 AM
  pinknfwuffy
  Participant
  660 posts
  Hi everyone, I am posting this on behalf of my parents who live a few hours away. They noticed a wild cottontail rabbit in the yard a few weeks ago. Since then it has appeared quite regularly and seems to have taken up living in a patch of tall grass. My father had mowed the lawn but noticed that the rabbit had been favoring that spot, so he left a 10 sq. foot patch un-mowed around that area. They don’t mind having the bunny around but, unfortunately, our family dog is prone to chase any little critters, from squirrels to birds. (She clearly isn’t very good at it–hasn’t caught anything in 12 years). The rabbit appears young by way of being small (probably a teenager), but as we all know that can be deceiving.
  
  Besides not letting the dog out and steering clear of the grass patch, is there anything else that can be done to protect this little one? They’d like to prevent any tampering or disruption of the habitat but the bun is clearly attracted to their garden. Herbs galore! It should be noted they live in a residential area close to busy roads and less-than-ideal rabbit conditions. I told them they did the right thing so far and to leave everything be (while keeping close eye on the situation). Any thoughts?
- 06/04/2016 at 11:55 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17227 posts
  Is there anything nearby that he could use as shelter? Bushes, shed, wood pile, etc? It depends on the individual, but I’ve had wild cottontails sit in the yard while the dog was outside. They seem to understand that she is old and can’t chase after them. I suppose if your dog is likely to chase them, it would be nice for them to have somewhere they could hide.
- 06/05/2016 at 7:02 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I only learnt last week that cottontails have quite shallow nests! I saw amazing video on facebook page of a mama standing over the nest as they fed.
  This page is full of absolutely fantastic photos and videos of cottontail living in a garden.
  Looks like there is 2 feeding videos up now.
  
  http://www.facebook.com/Misterthebunny/
- 06/05/2016 at 11:31 AM
  pinknfwuffy
  Participant
  660 posts
  Thank you both! Great idea, LBJ. I will ask them about that. I’m sure my dad would be happy to set up a pile of wood and branches if there isn’t one already. I know a tree fell down recently and he needed a good use for some of the leftover wood. And thanks jerseygirl, what a great resource. I’m going to forward it to them as well. How interesting!
- 06/05/2016 at 6:05 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17227 posts
  Yep Jersey, cottontails will dig a shallow bowl under a bush or other vegetation if there isn’t a more suitable shelter available. Of course, if there is something more substantial they can use (like underneath a shed, porch, or other structure) then they will.
  
  pnknfwuffy – I think a wood pile would be a great idea!
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