Springtime Adventures: What to Do When You Find Baby Bunnies in Your Yard

By Tamara Cervi

Originally published April 2024

Ah, springtime—the season of blossoms, gentle showers, and an explosion of baby bunnies hopping around! It’s a delightful sight to stumble upon these fluffy bundles of joy in your yard, but what should you do when you find them?

First things first, if you spot baby bunnies in your yard, it’s important to take some precautions to ensure their safety and well-being.

  1. Pet Patrol: Keep all pets out of the area. Fido might be curious, but it’s best to give these little fluffballs some space.
  1. Hands Off: As tempting as it may be to scoop up those adorable furballs, resist the urge to touch them. Handling them can stress the babies and may even result in the mother rejecting them.
  1. Tic-Tac-Toe Tracker: Use grass or twigs to make a tic-tac-toe pattern over the nest. This helps you keep track of whether the mother is returning to nurse the young.
  1. Watch and Wait: If the tic-tac-toe pattern remains undisturbed for 24 hours, it’s time to call in the experts. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can provide proper care for the bunnies.

 

But Wait, Where’s Mama Bunny?
Now, here’s a fun fact: mama bunnies are like ninjas—they operate under the cover of darkness! You won’t typically see them near the nest during the day. These clever mamas return at dusk and dawn to nurse their babies and keep them safe from predators.

So, if you’re worried about the absence of mama bunny during the day, fret not! She’s probably just off gathering food or keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

Growing Up Bunny:
As the days pass, those tiny bunnies will start growing up fast! At around 15-20 days old, they’ll leave the nest and begin exploring the world on their own. Talk about adventurous little hoppers!

Here’s a neat trick to gauge their independence: if you can no longer see the white spot on their forehead, they’re likely old enough to be out and about on their own.

And did you know? Mama bunnies are super busy—they can have multiple litters each year, with each litter consisting of up to nine adorable kittens. That’s a whole lot of bunny cuteness happening in your yard!

Final Thoughts:
So, the next time you stumble upon a nest of baby bunnies in your yard, remember these tips: keep pets away, resist the urge to touch, observe from a distance, and let mama bunny work her magic. Nature has a wonderful way of taking care of its own, and these fluffy little creatures are no exception.

Enjoy the springtime spectacle of baby bunnies, and remember to cherish these precious moments from afar. After all, there’s nothing quite as heartwarming as witnessing the wonders of nature right in your own backyard.

Tamara Cervi is an Animal Control Officer employed by the Town of Little Elm Animal Services. She is a passionate animal advocate, mother, wife, and lover of nature and all its inhabitants.

You can visit the shelter at:
Little Elm Animal Services
1605 Mark Tree Lane
Little Elm, Texas 75068
972-377-1898

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