My cousin took her kid to a party and this bunny was given to her son as a gift, a few other kids also got baby bunnies as gifts (I know it's horrible) My cousin is very socially awkward so she just took the bunny, but gave it to me because she knows I know how to care for rabbits I personally have two rabbits.
Problem I'm having is I don't know if this is a domestic bunny or a wild bunny, it's very friendly we'll hop up to me take food from me and is affectionate, but it looks strange for a domestic rabbit, I'm posting on here because I only have experience with New Zealand rabbits, while they do come in this color they're built different than a lot of other domestic rabbits.
My cousin was told it was a dwarf that was not told what kind, let me know if this is a wild bunny or not and what I should do, cuz regardless it's apparent it's probably not been in the wild at least not for very long.
I don't know if this sub will allow me to post pictures in the comments but if it will I will post another angle of the bunny there since it won't let me post two images
by Lunapixels18
26 Comments
Here is another angle
https://preview.redd.it/gklhf1e2emzg1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=188e9a1d3606ebdbf4d36cb61d48a3a19be4ba49
That’s the wildest bunny I’ve ever seen lol. You got yourself a wild cottontail baby
das a bunne
on a serious not that definitely looks like a wild bun, look up a wildlife rehab center near you and call them, they’ll know what to do
and don’t let it out into the wild, sounds like it might be a bit domesticated which means it’d struggle without rehab
Another question for the people in this sub, is this a bunny that could still be with its mother? Or is it perfectly fine to feed like my adult rabbits minus the leafy greens
Wild, find your local wildlife rehabilitation clinic and transport them there
This is a wild cottontail please put it back outside
Also, since you mentionned you already have bunnies – very important to keep them separated (the wild vs domestics)
As others have mentionned, please contact a wildlife rescue. The longer you keep him with you, the less his chances of survival and same for his sibblings. Sorry for being blunt, not blaming you at all – I understand you are trying to help.
Ooh, a baby wild cottontail. 🙂
Good luck to you, Op, and bunny.
That for sure looks wild. If it’s taking food from you and as calm as you add it may have gotten used to people from being picked up as a baby and being around people. I don’t know if you can just release it because of that. If you live near a wildlife rescue that might be your best bet.
Wild baby
My diva cottontail girl. That definitely looks like a wild bunny. Seems to between 1-2months old. Should be okay to give it pellets and whatever hay you have on hand. The wild ones can be very friendly and cuddly depending on how they were handled as babies. Also depends on personality.
https://preview.redd.it/0w3ow3c6omzg1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=462c463febb76bca7841563c38f55d9ba87d7497
My yard is full of wild bunnies right now. Lots of adults and babies! Can you find out where they actually came from
>its very friendly, will hop up to you
Domestic. We had one that looked like him that was sent to a wildlife rescue (by the humane society) and they immediately identified him as domestic because of how friendly he was.
https://preview.redd.it/tcympm5iomzg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f18d1633a2f69fe2a3f4b76462075c9559a0ef97
I don’t know anything, I’m just here to say OHMYGOODNESS ITS SO TINY AND PRECIOUS!
Definitely a wild bunny. I’d give him to a wildlife rehabber. Though, if you are in a place where they are invasive and there aren’t any rehabbers nearby, then it might actually be better to keep him because it’s illegal to release wild rabbits in many places where they are invasive. He does look old enough to be on his own, but considering you say it’s friendly, it’s probably too late to release him. I’d also try to tell the other people who got rabbits that they are wild as well.
If it’s a cottontail in the US, definitely rehab. Firstly, it’s illegal to own a cottontail in the US. Secondly, Cottontails are much less social and affectionate compared to European wild rabbits. Cottontails can be very easily stressed. It’s not impossible to raise a cottontail, but they very easily face problems in captivity if you aren’t sure how to handle one. European wild rabbits are easier though, as they are more social and are what domestic rabbits originate from.
TLDR; it’s certainly wild, take it to a rehabber if possible. Don’t release it if you live in an area where they are invasive.
a wild cottontail
Wild for sure
What in the hell? This sounds incredibly shady and could be a crime.
Get a DNA test done if you can and see if you can find out exactly where your cousin got the rabbit from and report them for potentially selling wild rabbits. (You can Google something like “how to report illegal animal selling in (place).”)
Also if you’re from New Zealand like you implied then you absolutely **SHOULD** ***NOT*** release it in the wild! Rather this is a cottontail or a European rabbit they would both be considered as pests there. Apparently they were introduced to the wild so people can hunt them for meat but there’s no natural predators, so they’re essentially killing the environment there.
At *best* this little guy just so happens to look just like a wild rabbit and the breeders discovered a way to breed a combination of rabbits that makes the perfect domesticated fake cottontail. That, or it will be sent back where it belongs.
Though unfortunately it and all of the siblings and parents might have to be put down. I am almost certain that you won’t be allowed to keep it as a pet. It’s definitely been domesticated*,* but they really wouldn’t want to risk the rabbit getting out. (I guess you could hide it?)
Or- It is possible that there are conservations for wild animals being sold as pets. California has at least one of them since there are people there trying to sell wild animals as pets to celebrities. (Mike Tyson, Siegfried and Roy famously has/had tigers, for example.) I’m not sure if they’re everywhere though.
Wild for sure
Please go to ahnow.org to find a local rehabber near you. And I know it’s hard but try not to handle it because the stress levels can be bad for its heart. As I understand it keeping it in a dark enclosed space with a good space to hide under would be best until you can contact a rehabber. I’ve shared a link below for more information. Thank you for helping the little guy out and good luck! He’s lucky he found his way to a knowledgeable rabbit owner. Update us if you can!
[Found a baby rabbit?](https://keeperofthewild.org/if-you-found-a-wild-bunny/)
[Wildlife Rehabs Near You](https://ahnow.org)
This is horrible, I don’t know if your local wildlife and game could do anything, but maybe you could report this to them? The color definitely seems to be a cottontail.
Animals as party favors… I didn’t know humans could get any lower.
Wild! No doubt about it!!
It looks wild but depending if you live in europe it can be a mixed bunny wild and domestic bunny. They will have a wilder look compared to normal domestic bunnies and as adults might be slightly more messy and skittish than normal bunnies. However contact a wild life rehabber, it will be easier for them to have a look.
In my country we always have accidents litter with the wild population because they sometimes breed with people outdoor bunnies. So mixes pop up every year.
That little bun looks pretty wild
Cute