IT’S BABY COTTONTAIL SEASON and the messages are flooding in. Please read this post in its entirety.

If you find a nest with baby cottontails DO NOT disturb or relocate it. At a minimum cover it with grass/brush and any nesting material left by the mama bun. If you have a dog please refer to the laundry basket photo to keep the cottontail kits safe.

The nest has not been abandoned if you don’t see a mother Cottontail in or near the nest. Mother cottontails only visit the nest 2 to 3 times daily for a brief feeding to avoid attracting predators.

Cottontail kits grow QUICKLY and begin to hop out of the nest as early as 3 weeks. They are able to venture out on their own, weaned and independent at 4 to 5 weeks.

If you discover an injured cottontail  (baby or adult) please take them directly to a wildlife rehabber. Rabbit Rescue of MN is not equipped to handle wild rabbits.

If you have dogs please be mindful of where the nests are located and supervise more closely when they are outside… and we’re hoping that people with cats keep them indoors where they belong. They decimate the bird population and they WILL find the baby cottontails.

Contact Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville MN ( 651-486-9453) or visit their website (https://wrcmn.org/). 
Hoppy Spring all!