What to do if you find a baby bunny.
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I am a wildlife rehabber who specializes in cottontail care.
The stick method is not effective. We reccomemd sprinkling flour around the nest instead or setting up a camera if you are unsure if mama is returning to the nest. A few major things to add:
Never move the nest. Ever. Mom will not go searching for babies. She returns to her nest spot and if its empty she will grieve her babies.
Never block off the nest. People do this to protect the nest but if mama rabbit cant easily stand over the nest they will not be fed.
If the babies are injured DO NOT RETURN THEM TO THE NEST. take them out and put them in a box with soft cloth on the bottom with a heat source (heat pad under the box on low, a rice sock wrapped in a towel, warm water bottle etc). Keep them indoors in a safe and QUIET place while you get a hold of a rehabber. Injuries are prone to fly strike and this is disastrous for any animal. Cat caused injuries are lethal unless treated with the right antibiotics.
Most importantly:
DO. NOT. FEED. THE. BABIES. EVER.
Most of the cottontail deaths i see are actually human induced. Ive held too many kits that were choking to death or having full organ failure in my hands because someome decided to feed.
If you suspect anything about the nest call a rehabber right away even if you are just asking a question. Rabbits are extremely particular in their care and aspirate easily. Their formula is highly specific and randomly feeding them will cause organ failure.


















