What to do if you have found a nest of eastern cottontail rabbits:

You've found a nest of bunnies (eastern cottontail rabbits)?

Now what?

Orphaned Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, a wild baby bunny needing care

It's baby rabbit season in North Carolina! The Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center has saved thousands of wild eastern cottontail rabbits. We often get calls from individuals who discover wild baby rabbits in their yards and are unsure of how to handle the situation.

This is how our dedicated hotline team assists individuals who discover rabbit nests, ensuring their safety, evaluating their health, and helping them coexist with local backyard wildlife.

#1 - Don't worry if you do not see the mother rabbit

Mother rabbits typically nurse their young at dawn and dusk, so it's quite common not to see her near the babies. She is probably nearby, though. To avoid drawing predators to her young, a mother Eastern Cottontail Rabbit doesn't linger with their baby bunnies for extended periods. Baby eastern cottontail rabbits consume 10-12% of their body weight during each feeding, which means they are fed less often.

#2 - Send us a Photo

Wear gloves to carefully handle the baby eastern cottontail rabbit and take pictures of their backs and bellies, then send the images to our hotline for our team to assess. A healthy eastern cottontail rabbit will have a well-rounded belly, sleek clean fur, bright eyes (if open), feel warm, and all the babies should be nestled together in the nest.Contact us

"A photo can tell us exactly what is happening with the baby rabbit so we can best determine the next steps to save that baby rabbit's life." – Morgan Rafael, Executive Director

#3 - Check to see if mother eastern cottontail rabbit is coming back

Perform the "string test" or set up a camera to view the mother eastern cottontail bunny. Learn how to perform the string test here. The String Test is an easy way to tell if momma cottontail rabbit is coming back. Please note, it is not always 100% accurate. Placing a camera on the nest is the best way to know if she is returning but if that isn't available, the string test is helpful. If you have any questions, please send us a photo of the baby's backs and bellies for full assessment. 

#4 - If the wild baby bunny needs care

If the mother hasn't come back within 24 hours or the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center's care team determines the babies require assistance, they will need to be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Keep the babies in a box with holes and a soft blanket. Place the baby rabbits in a dark, warm, and quiet location until they can be delivered to a wildlife rehabilitator.

#5 - Our Wildlife Hotline Team is always here to help!

A wild baby eastern cottontail rabbit in need of assistance will appear thin, dehydrated, have a sunken belly, unkempt fur, or weak eyes. If you have any questions, please contact us at 980-389-1133. Our dedicated hotline team is ready to guide you on how to protect the wild bunnies in your neighborhood.

Wild Rabbit Help

Encountering wildlife can be stressful, particularly if you're unsure of the next steps. The Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center is here to support both you and the wild animal! Eastern Cottontail Rabbits are among the species we frequently care for, and we are glad to help with any inquiries about a discovered wild bunny or rabbit nest.