Cottontails

The healthy, normal Cottontails shown above were all released back into their own natural habitat.

We receive many calls from people who have accidentally uncovered a nest of these tiny creatures. Since they don't see the mother, they assume the babies are abandoned and need help.

In actuality, the mother rabbit only feeds the little ones a few times at night and then leaves so her scent doesn't attract predators to the nest.

So what should you do?

1. Cover the nest back over the way you found it.

2. Place some dental floss over the area in a large tic-tac-toe pattern. #

3. Return the next day. If your pattern was disturbed, chances are pretty good that the mother was there feeding. If not, contact a local rehabilitator.

*Note: Cottontails are usually on their own at a very early age.

Rule of thumb: If you have to chase it down to catch it, it probably doesn'’t need your help! (Unless it is obviously injured).

"Luke Skywatcher"

Luke’s name was derived from the fact that he was always looking up toward the sky. A head injury inflicted by someone's outdoor cat affected his sense of balance, therefore we were not able to release Luke back into the wild.