Will wild rabbits breed in captivity?

Since 2010, captive breeding specialists at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, R.I., have been working to perfect housing, feeding, and breeding techniques so that New England cottontails can be bred in captivity.

Are domestic rabbits the same as wild rabbits?

For a long time, both domesticated and wild rabbits were essentially the same. There are now over 200 different breeds of domestic rabbits recognised worldwide.

Can you keep and raise wild rabbits?

Surprisingly, raising wild rabbits is about the same as raising domestic ones. Keep them in the house until they are about 4 weeks old so they will be warm enough. Don’t keep wild rabbits together after they are 2 months old – they will tear each other apart. Do not mix wild rabbits with domestic rabbits.

How big do cottontail rabbits get?

15 to 18 inches long
Cottontails are 15 to 18 inches long and weigh between two and three pounds. They can range in color from a light brown to a darker gray. Habitat characteristics and color tones are important in determining the dominant color type of rabbits found in a particular locale.

Are there white wild rabbits?

Cottontails or wild rabbits consist of 30 recognized species. Look at the color of the rabbit. Most wild rabbits do not have the fluffy, black, gray or white fur of a domestic rabbit, but instead a grayish brown or tan flecked mixture of coarser hair. Adult wild rabbits will have no white color at all.

How long does a wild rabbit live?

9 yearsIn captivity
European rabbit/Lifespan

Can you release a baby bunny back into the wild?

The best chance for survival of a wild baby rabbit is to leave it in its nest, where the mother will return to take care of it. If you find a wild baby rabbit, let him be, and do not attempt to “rescue” him. If you disturbed a nest, just remake it. If you touched the baby, that doesn’t matter.

How can you tell how old a wild baby bunny is?

“How do I know if the babies are old enough to be released?” Baby rabbits leave the nest at approximately 3-4 weeks of age (sometimes older). If the rabbit is as big as a tennis ball (or fully fills your hand), then it is able to survive in the wild.

Will a wild rabbit bite you?

Yes. Wild rabbits bite. Just like domestic ones, anything that may scare or threaten them will make them be aggressive. [1] However, will in the wild, they will not naturally attack or bite you unless they feel trapped.

Can you feed cottontail bunnies?

They will eat just about any kind of plant material they can find. Through most of the year this will consist of grass combined with other leafy plants they can find naturally, such as clover and wildflowers. When food is scarce in the winter, rabbits may resort to eating the bark off of bushes or trees.

Are black rabbits wild?

Most wild rabbits do not have the fluffy, black, gray or white fur of a domestic rabbit, but instead a grayish brown or tan flecked mixture of coarser hair. Adult wild rabbits will have no white color at all. Approach the rabbit to see if it’s afraid of you.

Can you keep a cottontail rabbit as a pet?

Unfortunately, cottontail rabbits are not the right candidates for a lavish pet lifestyle. These beautiful animals have lived in the wild for eons, and that is where they should continue to stay. Keeping a cottontail might sound appealing, but they won’t do well in captivity.