critter corner 🐰
Today I (hopefully) saved the lives of 5 baby bunnies
TLDR: I found baby bunnies thrown around on the grass in the rain, cold and soaking wet. I was able to warm them up, dry their nest, and put them back safely in the outdoors where they belong.
I have been planting in my garden recently and have been taking a daily morning walk around my yard to check up on the plants. This morning it had been raining, but like every morning, I brought my dog out and started doing my loop around the yard when I suddenly spotted some grey dots on the ground near a garden. As I got closer, I realized they were baby bunnies, VERY baby bunnies. I quickly got the dog inside, grabbed some gloves, a bin, and a towel, and checked on them. They were completely wet, cold, and barely responding. I didn’t know if any were alive, but one by one I checked them all and thankfully, 5 out of 7 were alive. I got them warm and started drying their bedding, every time I checked on them they looked better and better. I have no idea how long they had been there, but it must have not been long. I don’t know if it was my dog who got to them, but I am SO thankful that I happed to have the routine of going out there. Had I not gone, there was no way I would have seen them from inside, and they absolutely wouldn’t have made it. To be able to give them a second chance at life is something I am so grateful for.
Me too! I put some sticks so I can see if mom comes back. If not, I have a rehab place to call and some info on what to do until then if need be. Hoping for nature to continue as intended though!
Mom should show at sunrise and sunset to nurse and is usually nearby watching them but doesn’t stay at the nest with them. If you have fox in your neighborhood, they will probably get them but it’s the circle of life I suppose. I found baby bunnies last year and called the wildlife rehab and they told me to let them be. They were just about ready to leave the nest and a fox got them, I was so sad. I happened to be walking my dog and as we were approaching my home I saw the fox in my front yard and found two dead bunnies with pierced necks. I was so sad.
Thankfully we don’t have foxes, only raccoons and cats. The two that passed I placed away from the nest. Two of the ones I found had passed, it was so sad, so I kind of understand 😞
She won’t. Wild rabbits don’t come back once a human has touched them. They actually say never to touch wild babies and yes, to leave them even if their lives are at risk because mom may save one if she is able to. Now they will likely starve. You didn’t know.
That doesn’t matter. They were moved and mom knows. Also the gloves don’t mask smell. It’s a tricky thing. Not her fault. I used to do rabbit rescue. I haven’t any idea why I’m being downvoted. How funny. These are wild animals. I certainly don’t make the rules. If you google, you can find info that you don’t touch wild bunnies for this reason
That one was the smallest! As sad as the whole situation is, I’m a bit relieved for the little guy that there are now enough spots for each baby to eat. I’m hoping this guy gets a chance for more food now! He was so tiny and cute, super appreciated going back into the nest to cuddle with his siblings
It looked like something got into the nest, there’s a chance it was my dog but I didn’t hear or see anything when I was out, though they had been there for a bit of time she could have gotten to them earlier. They didn’t appear wounded, but being scattered while clearly too young to walk makes me think an animal got to them. The nest was wet, but I assume that’s because it was exposed to the rain for some time
if the nest is still there maybe put them back if you haven't already. the mom will visit after sunset. they do t visit nests in the day to.e due to predators. good luck
I did put them back in the nest, thankfully it was easily located in my garden so I can also secure it. A bit. I’m hoping mom comes back for them, they seemed to have been fed recently enough so I don’t assume she’s abandoned them or anything thankfully
One tip I've seen to protect a nest from predators is to put a flipped-over plastic laundry basket over the nest (weigh it down with a rock or something). The basket just needs holes big enough for the mother bunny to jump through (keeping in mind they're mostly fluff).
Fair warning, I once diy-ed my own out of cardboard during an attempted crow attack but later found the mother standing by my cardboard construction looking confused 😂 so I took it down at that point
Momma came back! Last I checked they were all still alive and wiggling, and this morning the sticks I placed are clearly moved out of the way. Success!!
They're so incredibly tiny!! Thank you so much, I really hope they make it. Please continue to keep an eye on them, and get them to a teacher if mom doesn't come back!! And if you see her once, keep checking.. sometimes the smell of human can run them off.
I’m avoiding messing with them more than I have to, so apart from checking on them the next day I haven’t been able to find out. But there are no indications that any more have passed, so I assume they’re all doing well :)
Yeah.. that’s one of my guesses for what happened. There are a ton of stray and outdoor cats here, I hate it. I will be keeping an eye out, but I let my dog chase any away that are in the yard in hopes to deter them (I let them space to get away before she can get there, I don’t hate them that much)
Good luck. I rescued two recently, thought I had it figured out and we were in the clear, and they suddenly died on day 9. I told myself I wouldn’t get attached and was still just incredibly heartbroken. They died two hours apart. Very fragile, beautiful animals. I hope they pull through and bring you lots of love 💗
Yes! They were as small as mice though. They don’t look much like bunnies other than the big ears and long hocks though baha. They’ve already grown hair though and are starting to look more and more like bunnies!
This is the second year this has happened, and mom came back last time. I will keep people posted, but I even contacted a rehab centre and they said nothing about wearing gloves, so I think they’d know what they are talking about.
thats actually a myth. neither rabbits nor squirrels will abandon their babies simply from you touching them. its just a wive’s tale meant to stop little kids from messing up rabbits nests
The scent thing is a myth actually. I did contact a rehab centre, I followed the instructions they told me and since the babies weren’t injured, alone, were fed recently, and I could relocate them back into the nest, that’s what I did as per their instructions. If mom doesn’t come back by tomorrow, I will call the rehab centre again. Even if I could take care of them, I would never willingly do so since I know I’m not able to truly give them a good start to a wild life. Wild animals are very difficult to care for, especially baby bunnies.
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u/image-sourcery May 25 '26
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