Have I Found a Rabbit or Hare?
Although similar in appearance, rabbits and hares are distinguished by differences in their anatomy and behaviour. Hares tend to be larger than rabbits with longer legs and feet. They turn white in the wintertime and are found more typically in rural areas. Hares are born at a more advanced stage than rabbits as well, being covered with fur and having their eyes open. A hare will have her babies in long grasses, fields, or under a bush. Rabbits on the other hand are born without fur and their eyes do not open until a number of days after birth. A rabbit's nest consists of a shallow hole covered with natural materials and fur, commonly found in a garden or against a building typically in an urban setting.
Is this Rabbit or Hare Truly Orphaned?
Once the young have their eyes open it is very common for them to come away from the nest a bit to explore. If you have found a baby rabbit or hare just sitting in your backyard chances are it is not orphaned. It will make its way back to its nest in the evening. If however the rabbit or hare has been in the same spot for the past two days and is easy to catch then it likely is orphaned and needs help. It is typical never to see mom tending to her babies, she comes usually once or twice a day to feed either late at night or early morning. This way she avoids luring predators back to the nest. If you are uncertain and perhaps something has happened to mom there are a few tricks you can try to determine if mom is still coming. Sprinkle baking flour around the nest. If there are footprints in the flour in the morning then mom is coming. You can also place a string in the shape of an X over the nest. If in the morning the X is disturbed then again mom is coming and leave alone. If there has been no signs of disturbance to the X or flour after a couple of days then they will need to be rescued
Once the young have their eyes open it is very common for them to come away from the nest a bit to explore. If you have found a baby rabbit or hare just sitting in your backyard chances are it is not orphaned. It will make its way back to its nest in the evening. If however the rabbit or hare has been in the same spot for the past two days and is easy to catch then it likely is orphaned and needs help. It is typical never to see mom tending to her babies, she comes usually once or twice a day to feed either late at night or early morning. This way she avoids luring predators back to the nest. If you are uncertain and perhaps something has happened to mom there are a few tricks you can try to determine if mom is still coming. Sprinkle baking flour around the nest. If there are footprints in the flour in the morning then mom is coming. You can also place a string in the shape of an X over the nest. If in the morning the X is disturbed then again mom is coming and leave alone. If there has been no signs of disturbance to the X or flour after a couple of days then they will need to be rescued
Aging the Rabbit/Hare
In order to properly care for the baby you have found, it is important to know its age. Consult the chart at the bottom of the page to assess age.
In order to properly care for the baby you have found, it is important to know its age. Consult the chart at the bottom of the page to assess age.
Feeding
Orphans that have been without their mother will be suffering from chill and dehydration. They must be thoroughly warmed first, and then offered warmed rehydration solution. Pedialyte is a rehydration solution that is available in drug stores- it should be heated to body temperature and offered every couple hours for the first several feedings. Formula should be a powdered esbilac, which is a puppy milk replacer that can be purchased at a vet clinic or pet store. Mix only enough for 24hrs and keep it refrigerated. Cow's milk, human baby formulas, and most pet products (except Esbilac) are not suitable and will likely cause death. Ensure formula is well heated and kept warm throughout the feeding as cold formula will cause diarrhea which can lead to death. Feed with a 1ml oral syringe ensuring that the feeding routine and environment is kept totally quiet. Please do not have more than one person as a caregiver and do not allow the animals to be handled by any other person. See chart for feeding schedule. Once feeding is finished, wash its face well with a damp face cloth, as formula dries quickly and causes fur loss.
* Rabbits and hares are slow and difficult to feed, so take your time and be patient, as it is essential for them to get the required amount.
Orphans that have been without their mother will be suffering from chill and dehydration. They must be thoroughly warmed first, and then offered warmed rehydration solution. Pedialyte is a rehydration solution that is available in drug stores- it should be heated to body temperature and offered every couple hours for the first several feedings. Formula should be a powdered esbilac, which is a puppy milk replacer that can be purchased at a vet clinic or pet store. Mix only enough for 24hrs and keep it refrigerated. Cow's milk, human baby formulas, and most pet products (except Esbilac) are not suitable and will likely cause death. Ensure formula is well heated and kept warm throughout the feeding as cold formula will cause diarrhea which can lead to death. Feed with a 1ml oral syringe ensuring that the feeding routine and environment is kept totally quiet. Please do not have more than one person as a caregiver and do not allow the animals to be handled by any other person. See chart for feeding schedule. Once feeding is finished, wash its face well with a damp face cloth, as formula dries quickly and causes fur loss.
* Rabbits and hares are slow and difficult to feed, so take your time and be patient, as it is essential for them to get the required amount.
Housing
Housing requirements will change as the rabbit/hare grows and develops, see chart at the bottom of the page for details.
Housing requirements will change as the rabbit/hare grows and develops, see chart at the bottom of the page for details.
Release
Should occur late in afternoon in appropriate area (where there is suitable habitat for either hare or rabbits) and where there would not likely be domestic predators such as dogs or cats. Hares should be at least 300 grams at release and becoming wild and hard to catch. While rabbits should be around 200 grams and displaying similar behaviour.
*In some jurisdictions it is illegal to care for wildlife and you should consult your government wildlife agency.
Should occur late in afternoon in appropriate area (where there is suitable habitat for either hare or rabbits) and where there would not likely be domestic predators such as dogs or cats. Hares should be at least 300 grams at release and becoming wild and hard to catch. While rabbits should be around 200 grams and displaying similar behaviour.
*In some jurisdictions it is illegal to care for wildlife and you should consult your government wildlife agency.
Internet Sites
There is some good information on the Internet, but some Internet sites give advice that will kill the animals you are trying to help. Please be very careful.
www.squirreltales.org
www.squirrelrehab.org/rehabinfo/orphaned.html
www.rescuedrabbits.org ****
www.squirrelsanctuary.org/ ****
www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html
There is some good information on the Internet, but some Internet sites give advice that will kill the animals you are trying to help. Please be very careful.
www.squirreltales.org
www.squirrelrehab.org/rehabinfo/orphaned.html
www.rescuedrabbits.org ****
www.squirrelsanctuary.org/ ****
www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html