A baby rabbit has the best chance of survival when it is cared for by its mother. Before intervening, we want to make sure the rabbit really needs our help. Cottontail rabbits nest from March through September and may have as many as four litters per year. The average litter contains four to five babies. Young rabbits disperse from the nest at 15-20 days old. By three weeks of age, they are on their own in the wild and no longer require a mother’s care. This means that young rabbits found on the ground may be completely healthy. Even though they look small, they are not orphans and do not need any human intervention.
How to re-nest a baby rabbit:
- Warm the baby rabbit. Place uncooked rice or bird seed in a sock, microwave it for 20–30 seconds, and wrap it in a soft towel. Position the wrapped sock near the baby to warm it up.
- Locate the nest. Look for a shallow depression in the ground lined with fur or grass (cottontail rabbits do not burrow).
- Return the baby to the nest. Gently place the baby back into the nest. Make a cross hatch with twigs or sprinkle flour around the nest to monitor activity.
- Check for the mother’s return. After 24 hours, look for signs like rabbit footprints in the flour or moved twigs. If these signs are present, the mother has likely returned to care for her baby.
- If the mother doesn’t return, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Keep the baby warm but do not attempt to feed it—rabbits have sensitive digestive systems, and improper feeding can be fatal.
If you’re unsure whether an animal needs help, City Wildlife is available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 202-882-1000. Adding pictures in an email is helpful for our staff to identify the animal and its particular needs. For assistance outside the District of Columbia, visit Animal Help Now (www.AHNow.org) and click on the “Wildlife Emergency” button to find a local rehabber.
