Wild rabbits that look like pet rabbits in my yard? PICS

[slpeacock]

I was always told that wild rabbits couldn't look like this so I'm a little confused as to how my friend has a bunch and I mean A BUNCH of these little cuties running around his and his neighbor's yard. They've already had 2 litters and appear to be wild? Any answers?

 

[dayna]

Somebody released pets and they bred.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

:yeahthat:

Unlike wild rabbits, if caught, these will likely tame down nicely. They may never be "in your lap" friendly, but they will adjust to cage life well.

Whether you or your friend are interested in keeping rabbits or not, these should be captured. Domestic rabbits will undermine building foundations with their burrows, and likely already have a good start somewhere nearby.

They look like a healthy group. They would make a nice start for someone wanting to raise meat mutts on a forage based diet.

 

[ckcs]

I wish I had lops running around my yard.

 

[SyP]

Wow, must be a lack of preditors in your area, those little guys wouldn't make it one night here with all the bobcats and coyote's. :notsafe:

 

[slpeacock]

Yea, there aren't many wild animals in that animal that would attack them. I know quite a few have been captured for pets but he said all together between all the breeding there was almost 50 of them through the spring time. So unfortunately not all could be caught.

 

[AmysMacdog]

They're cute! I think they make very attractive living lawn ornaments!

 

[Miss M]

Wow! They are beautiful, but yes, they are released pets.

And MSD is right, they can be quite destructive.

 

[Flemishstar]

awww how cute!!!!!!!! Wish I was lucky enough to have a couple of wild ones in my yard...they look healthy too lol!!

 

[Dood]

I think the term 'feral' is more accurate than 'wild'

Actually, feral rabbits are a huge problem in British Columbia and the are starting to get a foot hold in Toronto and other cities.
http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=7432762
http://www.spca.bc.ca/welfare/campaign- ... bbits.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012 ... noRedirect
http://globalnews.ca/news/317813/galler ... n-calgary/

 

[Wyldrose]

Edmonton AB has some feral rabbits too. There was a nice big cali near my sisters house when I was there. Wish I had the time to try and catch it, it would have looked nice in my rabbit shed

 

[Flemishstar]

Wow thanks for the enlightenment I had no idea this was an issue in some places

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Feral critters wreak havoc on ecosystems...I'd live trap as many as you can, then sit outside with a pellet gun. They may be cute but they're damaging.

 

[Secuono]

Heck, Japan has a feral rabbit island! You're not allowed to bring in any pets nor trap/hurt them..

 

[Flemishstar]

MMMMMMmmm

 

[Peach]

They are cute, but not good that someone released them. Thing can get out of hand easily. I would start capturing them. When they are old enough.....50 rabbits...maybe 5-8 a litter with no predators....YIKES. As sad as it sounds, I would start putting them down before the neighbors have them chewing on things they should and burrowing where people don't want them. This is sometimes what leads to rabbits not being allowed in certain places and responsible owners/breeders can't have them. Only takes one irresponsible owner to drag everyone else down.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

They are cute, but not good that someone released them. Thing can get out of hand easily. I would start capturing them. When they are old enough.....50 rabbits...maybe 5-8 a litter with no predators....YIKES. As sad as it sounds, I would start putting them down before the neighbors have them chewing on things they should and burrowing where people don't want them. This is sometimes what leads to rabbits not being allowed in certain places and responsible owners/breeders can't have them. Only takes one irresponsible owner to drag everyone else down.

Exactly.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Good point, Peach.

 

[Ivory]

I've had feral rabbits running round my place for more than ten years, ever since I had a mass break out. The numbers go up and down. Some years there are hundreds, then for a year or so I'll be lucky if I see more than a handful. I've never noticed them being any more destructive than any other critter.

 

[dayna]

Feral critters wreak havoc on ecosystems...I'd live trap as many as you can, then sit outside with a pellet gun. They may be cute but they're damaging.

Living in a state where feral critters have killed all the native species. I would have to agree!