Find A Rabbit's Nest In Your Yard? Here's What You Need To Know

Recently, one of my co-workers mentioned something interesting while he was mowing his lawn. I wasn't sure where this conversation was about to go, since mowing the lawn is boring in my opinion. Well, except for the time I accidentally mowed over a snake. That was not good.

And this conversation was actually about to head in that same direction, but now with snakes involved, rather rabbits. Now, before I explain, no rabbits were harmed in this situation. Now that we've got that out of the way, he went on to explain that he had found a rabbit's nest in his backyard one day while mowing.

I must live under a rock because I've never come across a rabbit nest. He showed me a picture of one of the bunnies, which you can see above. He explained to me what to do if I happen to find a rabbit nest on my property or anywhere else for that matter.

And if that should ever happen to you, according to the House Rabbit Society website, you may think those cute bunnies have been abandoned, when in fact that may not be the case. Sure, you want to do the right thing and help, but the correct thing to do is to leave them there. The HRS website states that the mother normally returns at night to the nest.

The reality is fewer than 10% of orphaned rabbits survive a week, and the care that people attempt to provide can be illegal, unnecessary, and potentially harmful. - House Rabbit Society

They go on to explain that rabbit nests can be found typically in the middle of a lawn and if you discover that any of the bunnies are injured, the best thing to do according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is to locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator in your area, call your nearest DEC Regional Wildlife Office.

There's more you can learn about rabbit nests and what to do if you find one in your yard, how to keep your pets away from the nest, and other tips as well on the House Rabbit Society website and through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.

It's Not Just Rabbits... Take A Look At How To Care For Man Different Types Of Critters You Find On Your Property

When you find a baby animal on your property that appears to have been abandoned, it can be so tempting to rescue them, but sometimes that causes more harm than good. Here are a few examples of ways you can help wildlife that has been left alone where you live.