Helping Baby Bunnies Stay Safe This Spring

Spring is a busy time for wildlife, including the Eastern cottontail rabbits that quietly raise their young in our neighborhoods. Unlike the underground burrows we might imagine, rabbit nests are typically shallow depressions in the ground, tucked into grassy lawns, flower beds, or even playground mulch. Lightly covered with fur and dried grass, these nests can be easy to overlook and even easier to disturb.

Each year, we receive calls from concerned people who believe they’ve found abandoned baby bunnies. In most cases, the nests are healthy, and the babies are being cared for by their mother.

A Quiet Survival Strategy

Cottontail mothers use a unique strategy to protect their young. To avoid attracting predators, they visit the nest only once or twice a day, usually at dawn and dusk. They nurse quickly and then move on, leaving the nest quiet and still for the majority of the day.

To human eyes, this often looks like abandonment. But the babies are actually safest when left alone. They remain motionless and silent, relying on their natural camouflage to stay hidden. This is a normal and effective survival tactic.

Unless the nest has been destroyed or a baby appears to be injured or in distress, the best thing you can do is leave the nest undisturbed.

How to Keep a Bunny Nest Safe

Once you’ve discovered a rabbit nest in your yard, there are a few easy ways to help protect it until the babies are old enough to leave.

1. Mark the Area Clearly
Use garden stakes, small flags, or natural items like sticks or stones to create a visible boundary around the nest. This can help prevent accidental disturbances by family members, guests, or landscapers. Avoid placing heavy or airtight materials over the nest, as this can trap heat or moisture.

2. Delay Yard Work if Possible
Try to avoid mowing, raking, or other heavy yard activity near the nest for the next two to three weeks. If yard work must be done, steer clear of the nest and raise the mower blade height to reduce risk. The young bunnies grow quickly and typically leave the nest within a few weeks.

3. Create a Temporary Barrier During the Day
If you have pets or children who play in the yard, you can protect the nest while the mother is away by placing an upside-down laundry basket or wire crate over the area. Make sure the covering allows for airflow. Remove the barrier at dawn and dusk so the mother can reach the babies to nurse.

4. Supervise Pets Closely
Dogs often find rabbit nests before people do. Consider leashing your dog or keeping it away from the area until the nest is no longer active. Even gentle sniffing or pawing can injure the fragile babies or damage the nest structure.

5. Keep Cats Indoors
Outdoor cats are one of the biggest threats to baby rabbits and other small wildlife. They hunt instinctively and can easily kill or injure vulnerable bunnies before they even leave the nest. Keeping cats indoors while nests are active is one of the most effective ways to protect local wildlife and prevent unnecessary suffering.

6. Keep the Nest as Undisturbed as Possible
After you've identified the nest and taken steps to protect it, it’s best to leave it alone. Avoid checking it frequently or handling the babies. Every time the nest is disturbed, there is a greater chance predators may find it.

7. Share the Information
Let others in your household or neighborhood know about the nest’s location. Many accidental nest disturbances happen simply because people didn’t know it was there. A quick heads-up can help avoid injury to the bunnies.

Not sure if the nest is still active? You can place a trail camera up to see mother come and go. If you do not have a trail camera, text 231-590-8639 for more information on how to check for dehydrated babies.

When to Reach Out

There are times when a bunny nest may truly need intervention. Please contact us if:

• The nest has been dug up or destroyed

• A baby rabbit is cold, bleeding, or covered in flies

• The babies are outside of the nest, crying continuously

• A dog or cat has carried a baby in its mouth
  
  
  
  
  

You can call or text 231-590-8639 for guidance. We’re always here to help assess the situation and support you in making the best choice for the animal’s welfare.

Just a Few Weeks

Baby rabbits grow quickly and typically leave the nest at around three to four weeks old. During that time, your patience and small actions can make a big difference.

By taking care not to disturb a nest and helping others understand the importance of leaving wildlife wild, you’re playing an important part in protecting local species and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Thank you for helping backyard wildlife thrive.