And the Answer Is............
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203422)
Nashville, Tennessee
May 10, 2021 11:34am CST
Thank you to those who commented on my post yesterday titled "Can You Guess What I Found in the Yard". I knew some would get the answer correct.
Baby bunnies (called Kits) are nesting in my yard. I am so very excited. Never in my life have I seen this before. And had no idea this is how rabbits have their babies.
I actually witnessed the female rabbit (called a Doe) digging a hole in the ground, then sitting on the hole and having her babies. I had no idea what was happening until about two minutes into the five minute process.
There is a red arrow in the photo showing the Mom sitting on the nest having the babies. How exciting is that!
Snapped many photos as the Dad (called a Buck) and a younger rabbit watched as well. Such a cool experience. Now I hope the babies will be safe. The Mom feeds them once a day, at nightfall.
All of this is done not to attract attention to the nest. To hopefully keep away predators. I know stray cats and other animals can get to the babies. But fingers crossed they will be safe.
Amazing to see the Mom cover up the nest as is nothing was there. And she uses her own fur to line the nest to keep the babies warm. The first post shows the nest after she had the babies. I will keep you updated. More adventures from my backyard.
31 people like this
31 responses
@Marilynda1225 (83094)
• United States
10 May 21
Hope those little bunnies survive. It is amazing how protective the mama bunny makes her nest.
8 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83094)
• United States
10 May 21
@CarolDM we've had bunny nests and bird nests here and it is amazing to watch.
5 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 21
@Marilynda1225 This is my first one, I had no idea.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (51523)
• Canada
10 May 21
You will really gain an appreciation for how quickly those rabbits teach their littles because they are not in their nests for very long, given how very tiny they are when they are born.
Within a month's time Mom will be allowing the littles to go out to get their own food.
Not like human littles at all.
6 people like this
@Juliaacv (51523)
• Canada
10 May 21
@CarolDM So apparently, our son told me that the mother will move the nest if she sees anyone near it.
That is why they relied on the camera in their phone.
She would come about the same time each evening, and scout about making sure that nothing was following her and then go in and feed the little ones.
5 people like this
@much2say (55974)
• Los Angeles, California
10 May 21
I missed that post, but what a delight to hear about your nesting bunnies ! We actually saw a lot of rabbits on our hike yesterday . . . but you're right - we've never seen this part of their lives. Well what an honor that they picked your yard to do this !
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 May 21
Sorry you missed it. So very excited. My first time to witness the process. Nature is so amazing. I do feel honored and hope they stay safe.
I am sure one or two of you will guess correctly about what I found in the yard yesterday. Guess what you think is in the photo. I will write later with the...
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71660)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 May 21
From that first photo, and even looking back on it now, I would have never guessed. I hope those babies grow up healthy and strong.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 May 21
What a nice surprise for you! I hope they stay safe.
2 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16147)
• Nairobi, Kenya
10 May 21
That's wonderful. I was so close to getting it
3 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16147)
• Nairobi, Kenya
10 May 21
@CarolDM me too. I'm seeing for the first time on the photo.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47066)
• India
11 May 21
They look so cute! I did not knew about the word Kits. Hopefully the predators would stay away.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47066)
• India
12 May 21
@CarolDM
I was aware of Doe as my kids keep on reading and watching about the animals!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47066)
• India
12 May 21
@CarolDM
Yes and one keeps on learning more and more
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 May 21
That is wonderful, they don't stand a great chance of surviving, they have lots of enemies but I am pulling for them.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181352)
• United States
11 May 21
Hoping that the nest remains safe.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87854)
• Bangalore, India
11 May 21
When I was a young girl, I remember having few rabbits as pets. But I don't remember witnessing anything like that. Maybe I missed the event or have not registered it to my young mind. Isn't it amazing!!
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87854)
• Bangalore, India
12 May 21
@CarolDM Oh! I see. Maybe that could be the reason.
It's amazing to witness such miracles of nature.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
11 May 21
well I was wrong by a bit. Unless that is really you in very well done bunny camo...
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
11 May 21
@CarolDM well we shall see for sure!!!!
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
12 May 21
I am making a come back today and will be willing to spend some more time to make myself busy here, have a wonderful evening
1 person likes this