It isn’t uncommon to find a nest of young rabbits and wonder if the mother is around, after all, you rarely see the adult. But the mother rabbit only returns to the nest a few times each day to feed her young, and she typically does this between dusk and dawn. She often goes unnoticed and comes infrequently so she doesn’t attract predators to the nest.
But it’s understandable that you’re worried about them. To put your mind at ease, or to determine if your worrying is warranted, there are a couple of tests you can do to determine if the mother rabbit is returning to her young:
- The string test – quietly approach the nest and place two pieces of string across the nest in the shape of an ‘x’. Be sure to place the string on top of the material that is covering the nest, it’s usually grasses and some fur. You may also want to take a picture of it so you’re sure to remember what it looks like. Leave it overnight and check the string in the morning. If the string has been moved that is a good sign that the mother has been back and you don’t need to worry! If the string looks like it hasn’t been moved, then there may be need to worry. In this case you should contact a local wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice.
- The flour test – quietly place some baking flour around the nest, not on the nest. Again, leave it alone overnight and check in the morning. If there are prints in the flour, that is great! That is an indication that the mother rabbit has been back to care for her young. If there are no prints in the flour, that indicates that the mother hasn’t returned, and you should contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Of course, if at any time you have questions, it’s always best to get in touch with your wildlife rehabilitation centre.
