Have You Found a Wild Baby Rabbit Nest?

If you come across a nest of baby Eastern Cottontail rabbits, it's important to handle the situation properly to ensure their safety and well-being. Here are some guidelines to help.

Breeding and Nesting

The Eastern Cottontail rabbit, native to the San Antonio area, can breed year-round. Mothers often choose areas with tall grass for their nests. If your grass is higher than usual, walk through the area before mowing to ensure you do not injure a hidden nest of baby cottontails.

Mother's Behavior

It is unlikely that a nest of baby rabbits has been abandoned. Mother rabbits nurse their babies for about five minutes, twice a day, usually at dawn and dusk, to avoid attracting predators. Rabbits will continue to care for their babies even if touched by human hands.

Handling Nests

If a nest is destroyed, you can move or rebuild it within 10 feet of its original location. Rebuild the nest by creating a shallow depression and lining it with dried grasses. To check if the mother has returned, make an “X” over the nest with string or create a circle of flour around it—if disturbed, it means she has been back to care for them.

Stress and Handling

Baby rabbits may be adorable, but they are easily stressed by handling and noise, which can cause heart failure. They are wild animals and should not be treated as pets. Orphaned wild baby rabbits have a 90% mortality rate in human care.

Rescuing

Many baby cottontails are taken in unnecessarily, despite good intentions. If you find a nest and do not see the mother, do not disturb the babies. Instead, check if she returns by using the string “X” or flour circle method. Signs that their mother is caring for them include quiet, sleeping babies with rounded tummies. If their mother has been killed or the babies need urgent help, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

Dog or Cat Interaction

If a dog or cat catches a baby rabbit, call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately if the rabbit is injured. If uninjured, return the baby to their nest and block the area to prevent pets from reaching them again. Cat bites are serious—even if external injuries aren't visible, they can cause fatal infections.

Wandering Juveniles

If you see a cottontail with open eyes wandering, leave her alone—she is learning to forage. Keep pets and children away, as she no longer requires a nest. A juvenile cottontail is at least four weeks old.

Emergency Care Instructions

If you must care for an orphaned bunny temporarily, follow these steps until a wildlife expert cantake over:

• Use a box or bucket with a lid, ensuring air holes are present.

• Create a nest using rags, towels, or an old t-shirt.

• Place the container in a warm, quiet place, away from household noise, odors, children, and pets.

• Use an insulated heating pad on low or an overhead light for warmth.

• Do not attempt to feed babies with sealed eyes—contact a wildlife rehabilitator first.

• Older babies with open eyes may be offered clean grass, clover, fresh apple, dry oatmeal, and a shallow dish of water.

• Keep the container covered to prevent stress and trauma.

Handling and Confinement

Do not handle or pet baby cottontails. They may appear calm but are often frozen in fear. If using a see-through housing, cover it completely to reduce stress.

Professional Care

Baby cottontails require care from a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. Do not attempt to raise them at home—wild cottontail rabbits are not domesticated; they can perish from stress alone.

Emergency Contact

If you find an injured or orphaned baby cottontail rabbit, contact Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation at one of their locations:

• Hospital & Sanctuary: 335 Old Blanco Rd, Kendalia, TX 78027

• Intake Clinic: 11902 Rustic Ln, San Antonio, TX 78230

Both locations are open 365 days a year, including holidays. Spring and summer hours are 8 AM – 8 PM, while winter hours may vary. If you need assistance, call their Wildlife Hotline at (830) 336-2725.

This message was sourced and used with permission from our partner, the Director of Community Engagement at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc.