Have you ever been out and about when suddenly a rabbit appeared out of nowhere? You yell, “Bunny!” And you want to grab it and touch its tiny bunny nose. You might not realize that humans actually attempt to domesticate wild grassland beauty.
It’s true. Depending on the state law or permit factors in your state, you may be able to care for cottontail rabbits. The question is: Can you, or better yet, should you? Many laws and regulations prohibit it. This could be for good reasons. Continue reading for more details.
Here are some quick facts about cottontail rabbits
| Species Name: | Sylvilagus |
| Family: | Leporidae |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperature: | Temperate to warm climates |
| Temperament: | Instinct-driven, nervous, flighty |
| Color Form: | Red, brown, and gray |
| Lifespan: | 8 years |
| Size: | 13-17 inches |
| Diet: | Herbivore |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 30″ x 36″. |
| Tank setup: | Single level |
| Compatibility: | Low |
The Cottontail Rabbits
For centuries, cottontail rabbits have roamed the forests, meadows, and woodlands of North America. These bunnies might be seen running around your yard, stealing clovers from you, or running across the road.
They are one of our most beloved and beautiful creatures. There has been a recent slow transition to domestication for educational purposes.
If you don’t have a lot of knowledge and skills about wild rabbits, they won’t make a great pet. These animals are completely wild and need to live in their natural environment to thrive.
Because they are used to hiding from predators, prey animals respond strongly to stimuli. Based on instinct, wild-caught cottontails are always afraid of you. They aren’t as gentle as domesticated rabbits.
What is the Cost of Cottontail Rabbits?
It’s a simple question, as a cottontail is not like other pets. You can’t sell or buy cottontails for profit as they are wild animals.
Breeders have worked hard to create a wild-rabbit appearance in domestic bunnies. Some rabbits look exactly like their cottontail cousins, such as San Juans. Although they are usually raised for hunting and meat, they can be kept as pets.
The Typical Behavior and Temperament
The temperament of cottontail rabbits is quite docile with each other, but not so much for people. They are more sensitive to noises, commotion, and rapid movements because of their increased prey instincts.
They are very skittish due to their prey roots. If you make a mistake while picking them up, they will kick. It is important to take care of them.
A rabbit can cause serious damage to your spine with its powerful feet. They can also kick you frantically in an attempt to escape.
It is unlikely that you will ever find a cottontail who is relaxed. They are constantly on guard and have their flight senses ready to go. They are not social animals and can be nervous at times.
Even if a cottontail is raised from infancy to adulthood, it will still have the same genetic primal instincts as its parents.
Appearance and Varieties
All cottontails belong to North America. They live in diverse areas and look very similar, with the exception of slight color and size differences.
- The most widespread cottontail is the Eastern Cottontail. It can be found all across North America. They can weigh up to 3 pounds and are grayish-brown.
- Mountain Cottontail–This rabbit is slightly smaller in stature than its eastern counterpart, weighing just 2 pounds as an adult.
- Mexican Cottontail-These rabbits can weigh as high as 5 pounds and are the largest of all cottontails. Their fur is reddish.
How to Care for Cottontail Rabbits
There are a few possibilities that a cottontail could be found.
- One was caught in a live trap. Although you might have set up a live trap to capture the raccoon who keeps digging through your garbage, it turned out that you were able to catch a curious bunny.
- There was a litter of rabbits in your yard. You might have found the litter because rabbits nest in the ground, and then cover their young with grass or fur. Before you intervene, make sure mom is gone.
- A cottontail rabbit was injured. You found a wounded cottontail rabbit.
- A car hit a live cottontail. You should immediately take a cottontail to a professional rehabilitation center if they have been hit by a vehicle.
All wild animals thrive in their natural environment, even if you aren’t an expert. If you don’t know what to do, ask your local authorities for suggestions on where to take them.
Are Cottontail Rabbits compatible with other pets?
In their natural environment, cottontail rabbits can be peaceful and quiet. They are very reactive to other animals. They will not mix with other species unless you have two cottontails.
How to Feed Your Cottontail Rabbit
It is important to provide the best nutrition for your cottontail rabbit, especially if you only have them for a few weeks. These rabbits need to be fed a diet that is similar to their natural environment. Malnutrition can lead to severe malnutrition.
The diets of cottontails typically include:
- Grasses
- Weeds
- Garden veggies
- Successful
- Legumes
Consult a professional if you are concerned that your rabbit isn’t getting enough nutrients.
Keeping Your Cottontail Rabbit Healthy
Although domesticating wild rabbits may seem like a fun activity, it could actually cause more harm than good. Imagine being confined to giant animals that feed and hold you. It’s quite scary, isn’t it?
It is a fact that the cottontail rabbit with its bunny family will be the happiest in the wild. If you are required to care for a cottontail, it is best to do so in a hands-off manner.
First, don’t startle the bunny. They can react negatively to harmless things because of their fight/flight response. To be their best and most healthy, they must be completely free of domestication.
Breeding
Cottontails start to breed in their natural habitat in February. Females typically have between 3-4 litters per calendar year but can produce up to seven litters.
You should not disturb a litter of bunnies found in your yard. Their mom is likely nearby.
Are Cottontail Rabbits suitable for you?
Cottontail rabbits aren’t the best choice for extravagant pet lifestyles. These lovely animals have been living in the wild for thousands of years, and they should be allowed to continue that lifestyle. Although keeping a cottontail sounds appealing, they will not thrive in captivity.
If you find a wild cottontail, you should release them or call a professional to assist you.
Is a cottontail considered a rabbit or a bunny?
Connecticut’s sole native rabbit is the New England cottontail. The eastern cottontail was introduced to New England in the late 1800s and early 1900s and has subsequently spread.
Can cottontail rabbits be kept as pets?
Because of this, wild cottontails cannot be maintained as pets or as educational animals; they are simply too quickly agitated to have a peaceful existence in confinement,” Dr. Wilkinson advises. Domesticated rabbits, on the other hand, are generally used to people and may approach you even if discovered outside.
Can cottontail rabbits contract rabies?
Small rodents (such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are nearly never discovered to be rabies-infected and have never been reported to transmit rabies to people.
Is it permissible to capture a wild baby bunny?
Their mother WILL come back to look after them (even if they are hairless and even if you have accidentally touched them.). Leave both the nesting material and the bunnies in the nest, and refrain from mowing the grass while the youngsters are present.
Cottontail rabbits do they purr?
They produce low purring, grunting, screaming, or growling noises when playing, fighting, or breeding. If a predator captures a cottontail, it is likely to cry loudly, startling the opponent and warning other rabbits of danger.
Cottontail rabbits are uncommon?
This once-common rabbit’s territory has diminished and its population has declined during the last 50 years. Biologists estimate that there are just about 13,000 New England cottontails left.
Scream cottontail rabbits?
They frequently produce low purring, growling, or grunting sounds when playing, breeding, or fighting. If an animal is kidnapped by a predator, it may cry loudly and shrilly. Cottontail rabbits are an essential link in the food chain and a primary prey item for many animals due to their high production rate.
Cottontail rabbits are hunted?
Since the time of the first Native Americans, hunters have been seeking the Eastern cottontail. Although hunter numbers have fallen from peak levels, rabbit hunting remains one of the most popular small-game sports in general.