![]() Cottontails can have multiple litters each year so kits may be encountered any time from spring through fall. A cottontail rabbit that is about the size of a softball (4-5 inches long) with eyes open and the ability to hold its ears upright should be capable of being on its own and should be left alone. The young cottontails, called kits, open their eyes at 1 week old and begin exploring outside of the nest for short periods to nibble on the grass at about 2-3 weeks. To avoid attracting the attention of predators to her nest, a mother rabbit does not stay with her young, but only visits the nest briefly at dawn and dusk for quick feedings. In human residential areas, these nests are often in unusual locations, such as the middle of a lawn, by a sidewalk, on a playground or in a garden. Cottontail rabbitĪ cottontail's nest is typically a shallow cup scraped into the soil, lined with some of the mother rabbit's own fur and some dried grasses. To help you determine if a young wild animal is truly orphaned, refer to the bird, mammal or fawn keys for guidance on evaluating wildlife situations and choosing an appropriate course of action. For the protection of all young wildlife, please do not revisit a nest site and do not let dogs and cats near the area. The following are tips for determining whether these common animals are truly orphaned. RESCUE BIRDS WISCONSIN HOW TORemember: A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother! How to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned ![]()
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