All About Rabbits

The first thing that we can start off with as the number one piece of advice, is that rabbits that you can encounter in the wild are very different from the fluffy domesticated balls of fur we know and love from the store. Wild rabbits can be very aggressive and can spread infections if they scratch or bite you. You should always be aware when you’re close to wild animals, and the rabbit is no exception. They can steal grain and seeds, terrorize your pets, (yes, even your cats and dogs), and can eat up an entire garden in a matter of weeks. They are as much a pest as a groundhog, and here’s how to keep an eye out for them.

Appearance

There is a vast amount of species of rabbits all over the world. There are bucks (males), does (females), and kits (babies). They are nocturnal, and typically come out of their burrows at sunset and return by sunrise. They can range from 4 to 13 pounds at full weight, and have brittle lightweight bones. Their teeth consistently grow and can get surprisingly long in adulthood, though they try to consistently grind them down.

If you see teeth marks in wood, there’s a chance it can be a rabbit, a gopher, or another pest with similar teething traits. Their ears are large, in order to detect an excellent range of sounds, and large eyes in order to see a near 360-degree range of vision. Rabbits have quick reactions and can run to their burrows immediately if they are in danger, and can run at a peak of 24 miles per hour.

Diet

The rabbit’s diet is the main reason why it can become such a nuisance. They can demolish entire gardens worth of vegetation if it’s available to them, and they have a constant appetite. When they’re not hungry, they aim to gnaw whatever they can to file their teeth down. The destruction of field crops causes millions of dollars’ worth of damage for example.

Habitat

Rabbits have a universally known habitat choice of burrowing, but choose to build them anywhere such as the woods and forests, to even deserts, and anywhere between. They’re usually found in groups, and take roles to look after each other, every rabbit has its own role in the group. However, over half of the world’s rabbit population lives within North America, so it’s no surprise that they can become yard-pests when given the chance. Rabbits breed quickly, and a single doe can have 800 children and grandchildren (and so on) in a single season.

The burrows are made by females and can span far and wide, connected by small tunnels. Rabbit burrows are most commonly found in areas with a lot of open space, as it is deemed more necessary for their survival.

Additional Information

Lastly, it could be very useful to know that these bunnies found in the wild can carry a bacterium that can cause fever to humans, known aptly as ‘rabbit fever’, aka Tularemia. This can sadly result in pneumonia, sudden fever, pain in muscles and joints, and difficulty in breathing. It can be prevented, but if not acted upon, can ultimately cause untimely death. If you do come into contact with wild rabbits, be sure to take the proper measures to avoid this.

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