How Mother Bunnies Care for Their Young

Nest Building

• Prior to giving birth, a mother bunny will create a low-lying nest. The mother may create the nest a few days before the birth, or even the day of the birth. The nest is typically a simple depression in the ground. The mother pulls fur from her body to line the nest's surface. Mother bunnies will add hay or other grasses to create a warm and comfortable space for her young.

Feeding

• A mother bunny will feed her young once or twice a day, typically for only five minutes at a time. The mother uses the protection of the sun's dwindling light at dawn and dusk to disguise her presence with the young. The mother's milk is extremely rich. The tiny young bunnies will fill with milk within a few minutes, and will appear with a distended stomach.

Warmth

• A mother bunny will not stay with her young to keep them warm. The mother's presence with the young attracts predators. The mother bunny emits a strong scent, whereas the young have not developed a scent strong enough for predator detection. The mother bunny will monitor the young from a safe and protected area away from the nest. She only returns to the nest to nurse the young.

Time Span

• Since mother bunnies breed three to four times a year, the young must mature quickly. Bunnies become self-sufficient as early as 4 to 5 weeks old. The mother bunny will wean the young quickly so both the young and the mother have a better chance at survival. Young bunnies within nests are vulnerable to predation, especially since the nests are on the ground.