Springtime in Wisconsin is cottontail birthing time, which lasts until September. During this period over 300 infant cottontails arrive into my care. Just as the earth is bustling with new growth, wildlife rehabilitators are caring for wild infants found by humans. Sadly, far too many "orphans" could have remained with their mothers.

About Wild Babies

Cottontails are a prey species. Survival depends upon their acute senses, concealment and rapid escape. Their body is designed for this -- long ears, sensitive nose, highly developed hind legs, short front legs and a lightweight bone-mass. A cottontail nest is a shallow depression in the ground. It is lined with dry grasses and fur from the mother's body. Once the babies are born, they "burrow" into the fur, which insulates and protects. Dry grasses cover the nest for concealment and shelter. Mom briefly visits the nest an average of twice a day, prior to dawn and then at dusk. In those brief minutes she crouch sits to nurse and care for her young. From a distance it appears that the rabbit is merely grazing. The babies then burrow back into the nest and remain quiet until the doe returns. In about 3-4 weeks the babies are independent.

In the north, infant snowshoe hares or jacks are the "wild babies." The care and feeding of hares is different from cottontails. Infant hares are born with eyes open and ready to hop, yet remain with mom for a longer period of time.

Finding a Nest

If you should find a nest and have accidentally uncovered it, you may do the following to assess the situation. Check the babies for lacerations and if the babies appear unharmed, gently re-cover nest with dry grasses. Healthy babies have shiny coats, are full bodied (skin isn't wrinkled), alert and the body is warm. Sometimes cold babies can be warmed and then placed back into the nest prior to the next feeding time. If a doe finds an empty nest she will not return, so moving a nest is a very poor option.

If you are concerned about the well being of nestlings, you can monitor the nest for 24 hours. Leave the nest alone until after the next feeding time (before light and after dark.) Remember the doe is not far away and is watching you. You can cross several strings over the nest. If in the morning you discover the string rearranged, it indicates that momma did her housekeeping. The best method to determine if mom returned is to examine the babies. Check the nest around 7:00 or 8:00 am; the babies should have very rounded bellies and be fast asleep. Newborns, when turned over, will actually have a yellow-white area showing just below the left ribcage. This is the milk. If the nestlings appear this way, then mom is caring for her young. Anytime you disturb a nest be gentle and quiet. Keep children and pets far away from the area until one-week after the babies leave the nest.

Remember that healthy babies belong with their mothers. Improperly handled cottontails (infant to adult) may break their own backs as they violently twist and kick to escape a predator's (your) grasp. Newborns will pop right out of your hands, dropping to the floor or ground and in doing so suffer fatal injuries. Helpless and blind at birth, infants do have a sensitive sense of smell. Human handling combined with predator (you, perfume, etc.) scents can cause severe stress and death. When well-meaning people find a nest of bunnies it is often assumed that the babies are orphaned. But by remembering the aforementioned information, you will be able to assess the difference between cared for and orphaned babies.

When care of wild babies is needed

True orphans or injured babies need to be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you suddenly find yourself with a baby in need of care, use both hands to cup the baby securely and place it into a small box or container with air holes. Provide clean T-shirt type material and nest the babies. Place the container in a quiet room and keep the babies warm. Do not let children or pets visit the babies. Please do not attempt to feed or care for any infant. Call the nearest rehabilitator for directions on what to do next.

Wild babies that need assistance from a wildlife rehabilitator are typically found in certain situations:

1. Disturbed nest-babies are scattered, cold and possibly injured. This may be the result of an animal attack.
2. Babies found frantically leaving nest; hunger may have forced them in search of mom or they are in a state of panic.
3. Babies dropped by predators (this would be a single baby found far from a nest). The family kitty drops the baby at the doorstep. A cat's fang is equal to a 3" spike driven into the human body. A cat's bite is loaded with bacteria that kill infant rabbits quickly. The family dog brings a baby home and it appears unharmed, but dog jaws can cause crushing injuries. A crow may also drop a baby.
4. Human activity -- brush fires, lawn burning, raking, kidnapped by children, unwanted nest in yard, lawnmowers, weed sprays, lawn chemicals, and attempts to care for babies with improper diet and handling.
5. Construction sites and schoolyards.

Each year I get in a number of "Peter" bunnies. Cottontails do not make good pets. They are wild spirits that will choose death over captivity. Cottontails may also carry zoonotic diseases. All across Wisconsin there are lost spirits waiting for a human to call their own. These domestic bunnies need a second chance for happiness and a caring home. Cottontails already have a home in the wild.

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