Cottontails as pets? Any advice/experience shared would be very well appreciated!

[MamaBean]

Okay so let me start this with I know cottontail rabbits are illegal to have without a permit, but if anybody’s read my other posts, we found Bean in the back of our pickup, and she’s way too friendly to be able to fend for herself in the wild, so we decided to keep her, as I don’t want to risk anything. I love my girl so so much!
Anyways, after doing some research we’ve come to the conclusion that she must be a cottontail. Does anybody else have experience with this breed of rabbit? I know they generally stress easy and aren’t super cuddly, so I’m wondering for some tips on how to keep her stress levels at a minimum, and also I’m wondering about litter training, as I can imagine it to be a bit different for a wild breed of rabbit. Currently my bedroom is rabbit proofed and she has free range of there until Wednesday when I pick up some NIC Cubes to build a cage. I feel like I’m rambling as I’m typing this while watching a movie with my bun, so yeah um any advice on raising a cottontail would be well appreciated. Also, any advice on getting an approximate age? I’ll post a few pictures via my laptop in replies

[MamaBean]

 

[Bam]

Don’t know about cottontails but wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) make good pets if you get them as babies – although it’s forbidden in Sweden as well, of course. Sometimes people rescue wild rabbit babies from cats that have taken them. Theses rabbits can become very good pets. My family had a rabbit like, Mouchie, that when I was a very young child.
Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) are a different species though. So my answer is probably of little help.

[Roberta]

Not so sure she is a cotton tail. She is the exact shape and colouring of my Pascals sister, Prada. They are all satins born to pure silver fox parents.

 This is Prada and Paris, Pascal’s sisters from the same litter. See what I mean about Prada.

 Where as this is Pascal with his brothers Pepe and Pierre (who is getting adopted this week)

The boys of course are show quality whilst the girls are not. One wonders what would have happened had the Rescues not swooped on the situation.

I would not be surprised if you little one was dumped, possibly by a breeder, as she did not come up to standard for showing.

From the pics I have seen of cotton tails she looks more domestic.

[MoveDiagonally]

I’m not sure if she’s a cottontail either. 

You could always talk to a wildlife rehabber in your area and see if they can identify her as a cottontail or not.

[Bam]

MoveDiagonally, if she IS a cottontail, then she is a wild animal and then it would be illegal to keep her. A serious wildlife keeper would perhaps not let her? Perhaps Mama Bean doesn’t want to risk that? (I don’t know how these things are done in the US, but in Sweden you’d have to surrender the bun if it turned out to be a wild one, and it couldn’t be put back where you found it – that’s illegal too, because rabbits are legally considered vermin. So that would mean you’d caused the death of the bunny you tried to save =(

Mama Bean, she’s so cute! I too found my first bunny without having a clue that a rabbit was just what I wanted and needed.

 

If Bean has a cottonish-looking white tail, that in itself doesn’t prove her to be a cotton-tail rabbit. European wild rabbits have those white undersides of their tails too and my un-wild bunny Yohio has an extremely cottonlooking white tail although he himself is yellow. (Guess you know about this though, I  just want to stress it just in case).

[Roberta]

I tend to agree with Bam, whilst MD is also correct on some fronts.
If anything she resembles the wild rabbits in Australia who aren’t actually cotton tails but feral domestic rabbits. Also the finding in the truck makes me think a breeder or someone stuck with babies decided you would make good adoptive parents for a bun that could not be kept. If she had been dropped by a raptor she would have shown injuries so she must have been placed there.
The fate for wild rabbits in Australia is also grim although we do not have laws against taking them in, releasing them back to the wild is not legal.

[Sarita]

That is not a cottontail – you do not need to worry. I had a friend who had a cottontail who was injured as a pet and your bunny looks nothing like her.

I also helped a rescue that rehabbed cottontails as well and that is not a baby either – no white spot on forehead and ears are way too big.

So continue on with what you are doing and don’t worry :~)

[Beka27]

I agree, she looks domestic. Have you called around to any local exotics vets yet? I suggest you get her in sometime this week for a baseline exam, a sex confirmation (altho she looks to be getting a dewlap, so I’m guessing she is a girl), fecal exam, and information on spaying if the vet thinks she is of age.

She doesn’t look malnourished, at least from these pictures, so that’s a hopeful sign that she is healthy.

[MoveDiagonally]

@ Bam, While I don’t generally condone someone breaking the law or keeping a wild animal as a pet I’m not sure how a rehabber would go about forcing her to give up the rabbit. If she sent them an email she and doesn’t have to include any personal information. The reason I suggested she consult an expert to ID is because I would hate for MamaBean to assume she is a cottontail and then be afraid to take her to the vet when she needs one.

All that said, it seems as though everyone is leaning towards her not being a cottontail so it’s all a moot.

ETA – MamaBean, She is a VERY cute little bun. XD

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I agree with the others, shes not a cottontail. They have a very different form and a diamond on their foreheads.
The foot pads and large ears look flemmie to me, although her head shape doesn’t. She looks super sweet.
For a habitat, as always lol, I recommend an xpen!

[bullrider76543]

I have to agree with the others, the ears on not the right size and shape for a cottontail. I think thatyou are doing fine, just keep it up!!

[jerseygirl]

She’s very cute and very fortunate you and your partner found her and fell for her.

I also agree with general consensus that she isn’t a cotton tail. The wild colouring (agouti) is pretty common in domestic breeds.

Also from the pictures you’ve posted, she looks pretty comfortable around you. I think you can keep her as a normal domestic. In other words; become her slave and adapt your entire life around her.

[jerseygirl]

I just noticed her eye in pic #5. Is this red eye correction on the photo or does her eye look opaque?

[MamaBean]

Thankyou everyone for the replies! I am so relieved that she may not be a cottontail, as even though it’s only been a few days, I would be absolutely crushed to lose her. Although I’m not sure, as her ears are unlike those of any domesticated rabbit I’ve ever seen (they’re flatter at the top) as well as the cute little white tail. Any guesses about what breed she may be? She’s not very big, I’m not sure if my previous pictures show that very accurately. I’ll post more (Really I’m just looking for an excuse to take more pictures of my bun)
And Jerseygirl I’m not completely sure what you mean about her eyes. They were a bit cloudy looking when we first found her, but it’s been clearing up as the days pass. I will look into taking her to a vet shortly though, for sure.

 She isn’t very big (I have tiny hands.. Not the greatest comparison)
 

 Maybe this portrays her size better? (Silly girl spilled her pellets all over!)
 

 As I said, her ears are flatter at the top than those of what I’ve seen on any domestic bun.

 

[Elrohwen]

Very cute! I agree that she doesn’t look cottontail. The way her ears are rounded and stick out to the side a bit remind me of lop ears, but it’s hard to say. I love how big her ears are.

[Bam]

She’s cute times a million. Maybe there’s a tiny bit of elephant in her, judging by the size of her ears =)

@MoveDiagonally. I certainly don’t condone law-breaking either. But I never thought of the possibility of e-mailing pics to a wild-life keeper! I’m obviously stuck in some past century, I pictured MB actually taking the bun irl to a person (probably by horse-carriage) who would then confiscate the bun or send for the local sheriff!

Good thing Bean doesn’t appear to be wild after all.

She looks so much like my childhood Mouchie I get all nostalgic.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My first two thoughts at seeing the pics are: OMG Adorable! and I don’t think that’s a cottontail. She’s of a similar colour but just doesn’t look like pics of baby cottontails I’ve seen.

[MoveDiagonally]

Posted By bam on 05/20/2013 02:06 PM
I pictured MB actually taking the bun irl to a person (probably by horse-carriage) who would then confiscate the bun or send for the local sheriff! 

Oh Bam… That made me laugh so much  

[Beka27]

She looks pretty young. It’s likely that she isn’t full-grown yet, but once she is older, we might be able to narrow down breed based on final weight. Her ears are very large for her, and bigger breeds usually have to grow into their ears much like large dogs grow into their paws.

My guess is that she was an Easter bunny that someone got sick of… Easter was about 7 weeks ago. If they got her at 8 weeks, that makes her almost 4 months….. 

[MamaBean]

4 months seems plausible. Gosh, I don’t understand how anybody could adopt a bunny- or any pet for the matter- and then just abandon it! Sigh, people like that shouldn’t have pets anyways, if you ask me.
Bean’s getting bigger by the day, thankfully gaining weight as well. She was so thin when we found her. Hopefully once she reaches her full size I/we’ll be able to figure out what breed she is! (Though a part of me wants her to stay tiny forever haha) thankyou so much everyone for reassuring me that if I were to take my bun to an expert (by horse carriage of course- there’s just no other way! ;D) the chances are slim of me having my Bean taken away.

[colleenbunny]

 I envy you. I’m not even advanced enough to have a horse-carriage.  I have to get around by walking! Maybe it’s time for a technology advance? 

[tanlover14]

I also do not believe that is a cottontail. She has huge ears – all my buns had HUGE ears and had to grow into them… so I believe she may be getting bigger! She is gorgeous though!

You would be shocked how easy it is for someone to just throw away an animal… truly disturbing.

[Deleted User]

=] She’s not a cottontail. We have quite a few in our backyard and she’s missing that sharp face that they have. What a pretty girl! I hope you enjoy her! I agree with everyone else.

[MamaBean]

Haha well I hope she doesn’t get too big! I love my tiny bun.
People have such little conscious, I myself could never, probably even if my life depended on it, leave a helpless little animal to fend for itself.
I definitely enjoy her, she’s such a sweetie, follows me around everywhere haha. Though she likes to use my bed as a bathroom when I let her out.. And she makes the most adorable face afterwards too, such a guilty look. “Mommy I peed in your bed but I love you please done get mad mommy”

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Cute!! When I first saw the title of the thread I was like uh-oh…then I saw the pictures and was ‘ahhh’ Definitely doesn’t look like a wild rabbit at all. Thought the coloring is wild type, or agouti, that makes it hard to know especially at first. But she definitely looks like a domestic bunny. I wonder how she ended up out on her own-perhaps someone knows your an animal lover and dropped her off with you?
Sooo congrats on your new pet

[Deleted User]

To add my two cents, …

Mama Bean, I read your first note (your original thread) and my immediate thought was that someone dropped an unwanted pet (my own guess would be rejected Easter Bunny) into your truck. I live in a rural area and it happens distressingly often around here. One of my cats was originally found by a friend lying in the middle of the road where she’d been dumped. Best we could judge the little kitten had the bad taste to go into heat. Some people are truly Special, in the wrong way! So happy Bean’s story is having such a lovely long Happy ending!

While I cannot vote on the breed, I would always consult a vet on that topic first. While a lot of us know that some vets, … lack a little (or some times a Lot) of something, in general the ones I’ve come into contact with do put the animal’s well being first, and staying in Mama Bean’s care would definitely be in this little one’s best interest. Sorry, but emails can be traced (quite easily) and yes, the laws in Canada are very strict and you may well be made to give up a wild rabbit. I sadly learnt a lot on the topic when I took in a pigeon that damaged its wing near my house. Keeping it for the three weeks it took to recover was illegal, however, no wild life organization would take it in. I was told privately repeatedly that if I could care for it and not report it that was the best way to go. Fortunately my vet is trustworthy so we had a couple of telephone consults (it was nerve damage so it didn’t have to have meds or anything) and I learned a lot from a couple of pigeon and dove forums. Including that sadly those of us in North America who want to help do so illegally. It is very frustrating.

[MamaBean]

Well, we’ll never know what breed she was.. My baby passed away thismorning. We put her in the hutch for the first time lase night as my room was staring to smell horrid.. When I went to check on her just now, she’s gone. I had a feeling it would happen.. Poor baby I can’t help but feel terrible not only for her loss but the fact that I’m to blame… RIP Bean. My first and only bunny <3

[Deleted User]

Mama Bean, I’m so very sorry!!! Any idea how it happened? Why are you blaming yourself, … you seemed to be doing such a good job looking after the little one. Sending you positive thoughts, I know you were together more then long enough for the furry darling to have made a place in your heart.

[MamaBean]

Thank you Grey Dove. I feel I’m to blame as I can’t help but think that if I wouldn’t have put her in the hutch, she would still be here. I think she must have choked on the wood of the hutch or something, she definitely didn’t die peacefully as I found her splayed out. I’m nearly positive she choked… I’m so crushed. Thankyou for the positive thoughts dear.

[Beka27]

Oh my goodness. I am so, so sorry…

Binky free baby.

[MoveDiagonally]

I’m so sorry for your loss!

(( Binky Free Bean ))

[MamaBean]

Thank you guys.. We’re burying her in the back yard as I type this and I can’t stop myself crying Im going to miss her so much

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry.

((((((Binky Free Baby))))))

[Beka27]

I lost my lop on Saturday. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had them for 5 years or a few weeks… they leave a hole in your heart when they’re gone.

She was loved. She came into your life unexpectedly, and you gave her a stable home and lots of love when she needed a friend. Please don’t blame yourself for anything.

[MamaBean]

Beka I’m so sorry for your loss They really do leave a hole. It’s not the same coming home and not having her come lay on my chest as I browse the interwebs haha.
Thankyou everyone for your kind words

[Beka27]

I know it’s soon, and you don’t have to decide anything right now, but have you considered opening your home to another bunny in the future? It doesn’t lessen your loss of Bean, but I feel like you could take what you learned from loving her and give a bunny in need a fantastic life.

[Deleted User]

Dear Mama Bean, … sorry, website had a hiccup and I didn’t realize you’d replied. Again I’m so very sorry! They do chew wood all the time, I know I’m not there and can’t say but please do not blame yourself. I very much doubt the hutch caused her death, and either way you were loving her and doing the very best you could for her. I know it doesn’t help a lot right now, … but truly I do understand something of what you are going through, my first rabbit died two months ago after being with me for eight years, and only in the very last days of his life did I begin to learn how wrong I’d been in so many of the things I’d done. But as someone told me when I was agonizing over all the mistakes I really did make, and not having tried to learn more sooner, your little one would not want you to lose the good memories and the happiness Bean shared with you in a swamp of guilt. You loved and did your best for Bean, and I so agree with Beka, do please consider getting another rabbit. They Never replace each other, but walking into the room I do a lot of my work in and where my first darling lived for all those years was so painful for the three weeks between his death and the arrival of my new little ones. They helped fill that emptiness, and by giving them the very best life I know how I feel I can try to make something positive out of the years when I did things so poorly. From the first night you found her you cared about and for her, I hope for your sake and for some rabbit(s) who is looking for a happy home you decide to share your love and good foundation of rabbit knowledge with another furry one who needs you.

I’ll be burying my boy next weekend, … it isn’t a day I look forward to, … I’m thinking of you!

Beka, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss as well. My heart goes out to you also!

[Bam]

I’m so very sorry. She was such a beutiful little bun.

[MamaBean]

I’m so happy I’ve got this forum for support, nobody seems to understand why I’m so upset over a ‘stinky rabbit’. Matthias of course is saddened by the loss aswell, but everybody else tells me I’m over reacting haha. I am considering getting another bunny- Matthias’s aunt has an abundance of baby rabbits that she can’t care for, so his sisters and I may each be getting one. That’s 3 rabbits! It won’t be the same, Bean will always hold a special place in my heart. But I’ve got a feeling this is only the beginning of a life long addiction to bunnies!

[jerseygirl]

Oh I’m sorry to hear about Bean! My condolences. I know she hopped into your heart so quickly.
I also urge you not to blame yourself. You’re already hurting enough missing her. In my view, you extended her life by taking her home in the first place.
Binky Free Little Bean!

I’m happy to read you’re considering another rabbit. It will always be Bean that led you to the world of rabbits.

[MamaBean]

Welcoming to the family Romeo, Bebe, and another bunny yet to be named!! Pictures soon!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Oh how exciting! Were they rescues? You should make their own thread in the Welcome section

[MamaBean]

I will be making a new thread as soon as I get to a computer they aren’t quite rescues, we got them from Matthias’s aunt, her rabits had babies so were taking 3 in

[Beka27]

Congrats on the new bunnies! We await your intro thread and LOTS of pictures!

(I’m going to go ahead and lock this thread since it has run its course. Start your intro thread when you’re ready…)

[Author]

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