Many garden enthusiasts and curious observers often wonder about the eating habits of wild rabbits, particularly when it comes to sweet garden delights like strawberries. Understanding what wild rabbits consume in various environments provides insight into their adaptability and dietary preferences.
Do Wild Rabbits Eat Strawberries
Wild rabbits do eat strawberries and various parts of the strawberry plant. They are attracted to strawberries due to their sweet taste and high water content, making them a refreshing and palatable food source. Rabbits typically consume the fruit itself, but they also feed on the tender leaves and stems of the strawberry plant. This consumption is often opportunistic, meaning they will eat strawberries if they are readily available, especially in gardens where cultivated varieties are larger and sweeter than their wild counterparts.
Are Strawberries Good for Rabbits
While wild rabbits may eat strawberries, these fruits are not considered an ideal or regular part of their diet. Strawberries contain natural sugars, and excessive consumption can lead to digestive upset in rabbits. Their sensitive digestive systems are designed for a high-fiber, low-sugar diet. Cultivated garden strawberries are typically larger and sweeter than wild berries, posing a greater risk due to their concentrated sugar. Additionally, garden strawberries may carry pesticide residues, which can be harmful to rabbits.
A Wild Rabbit’s Natural Diet
The natural diet of a wild rabbit primarily consists of fibrous plant materials. Their usual food sources include various types of grasses, clover, weeds, and other leafy greens found in their habitats. This diet provides the necessary fiber to support their digestive health and dental wear. They might occasionally consume small amounts of fruit opportunistically when other food sources are scarce or when they encounter naturally growing berries. Such instances are typically infrequent and involve smaller, less sugary wild varieties compared to cultivated garden produce.
Keeping Rabbits Out of Your Garden
Protecting garden strawberries from wild rabbits often requires implementing deterrent strategies. Fencing is a highly effective method; the fence should be at least two feet high and buried a few inches into the ground to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath. Another option involves using commercial or natural repellents around the strawberry patch, though these may require frequent reapplication, especially after rain. Planting strongly scented herbs that rabbits dislike, such as lavender, rosemary, or mint, near strawberry plants can also help deter them. Removing potential hiding spots like overgrown brush or debris near the garden can make the area less appealing to rabbits, reducing their presence.