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View Full Version : Stray rabbit, need suggestions asap!


Emily94
Jan 22, 2012, 06:56 PM
Hey guys!
A couple months ago I noticed a little bunny running around the neighborhood, I didn't really think anything of it (I just assumed it was someone's pet who managed to escape and would show up at home sooner or later). Well the poor bunny is still on his/her own and I feel terrible! It was -43 here the other night and I was worried the cold got to the little thing but noticed his/her tracks again this morning. I really don't know what to do? If I leave food out will he/she find it and if I leave veggies out will he/she still eat them if there frozen (or be able to smell them for that matter)? And suggestion on trapping it (Alive of course!)?Im just kind of stuck.. Ive dealt with stray cats before but I'm going to assume rabbits are different. He (Lets just assume it's a boy :) ) is quiet small and very cute, but he hasn't let me get close to him (10 feet is the closest I've been able to get to him)... I haven't actually seen him in quiet awhile so I'm not sure what condition he's in, but there's tracks almost every morning and my mom said she seen him running around about 2 weeks ago... any suggestions??

Fr_Chuck
Jan 22, 2012, 07:08 PM
Is it a pet rabbit or is it merely a wild rabbit living in your area. We have rabbits, squirrel, chipmonks and more all running around.

And while some -40 record lows in your area, but I bet right now, those are "wind chill" temp, for what it feels like right now, But still those -10 and -20 in your area right now is cold. But if a wild animal, most know how to handle this

Emily94
Jan 22, 2012, 07:10 PM
Nope, its definantly a pet. He's orange and white and he didn't change colors with the season (Saw him the first time back in august)... all the wild ones I've seen are brown, white, or grey (or a little mix).

Fr_Chuck
Jan 22, 2012, 07:16 PM
Talk to your local animal rescue. They should be able to put out traps and catch him.

Alty
Feb 5, 2012, 07:04 PM
Emily, rabbits don't change color, only hares do. Just because it's colored doesn't mean it's not wild.

Rabbits and hares are very different. Hares live above ground, they don't live in a group, and where I live they're what you'll see in the wild. They're larger than rabbits, have bigger ears and feet, and they change color in the winter and spring.

Rabbits live in warrens (in a group below ground). They're smaller than hares, and they don't change color in the winter. Wild rabbits are just as wild as hares.

Don't assume that this is a pet. If he survived the cold snap then it's likely that he has a family (a warren), and he's a wild animal.

I know you want to help, but what we humans do to wild animals isn't always helpful. Please, let him be the wild animal that he is.