Wild rabbits view gardens as an easily accessible buffet, causing significant damage to young plants and vegetables. The most effective long-term solution for protecting your garden is installing a physical barrier, specifically a fence. Achieving full exclusion requires understanding the rabbit’s physical capabilities to ensure the barrier is sufficient in both its vertical reach and its security below ground.
The Vertical Leap of Wild Rabbits
A rabbit’s ability to jump is an impressive adaptation, primarily used for escaping predators. Common garden pests, such as the Eastern Cottontail, possess powerful hind legs that allow them to launch themselves upward with surprising force. While the average rabbit generally clears obstacles in the range of two to three feet, their maximum potential is significantly higher.
In a state of panic or high motivation, a wild rabbit can achieve a vertical leap of up to four feet. This maximum height demonstrates the athletic potential that must be planned for when designing a barrier. The official world record for a competitive rabbit jump stands at approximately 42.1 inches, confirming the species’ capacity for high jumps.
Variation in species plays a role, with larger Jackrabbits requiring a slightly taller fence than the smaller Cottontail. Although most rabbits prefer to go around or under an obstacle, the potential for a jump over a low fence remains a significant risk when motivated by food or fear. Relying on an “average” jump height for garden protection is insufficient, necessitating a substantial safety margin in your fence design.
Effective Fence Height Requirements for Exclusion
To consistently deter rabbits and account for their maximum jump potential, the functional height of a garden fence must include a significant buffer. A fence height of at least 36 to 48 inches (three to four feet) above ground is recommended to reliably prevent a successful vertical leap. Using a two-foot barrier risks failure if a rabbit is highly motivated or panicked.
The material used for the vertical barrier is just as important as the height itself. The mesh must be small enough to prevent even young rabbits from slipping through the openings. A durable material like galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth with a mesh opening of one inch or less should be used.
Using a fine mesh near the ground and a larger mesh higher up can be cost-effective, but the entire structure must be secure. The fence material should be tightly affixed to sturdy posts to prevent the barrier from sagging or creating gaps. This combination of height and appropriate mesh size ensures the primary vertical exclusion is effective against all ages and types of rabbits.
Addressing Ground-Level Access (The Digging Factor)
While addressing the vertical jump is necessary, relying on height alone will fail because rabbits are natural burrowers. When faced with a solid vertical obstacle, a rabbit’s instinct is to dig directly beneath it to gain access to the garden. This subterranean threat requires a specific installation technique to complete the exclusion strategy.
To prevent rabbits from digging under the fence line, the barrier material must extend below the soil surface. It is recommended to bury the bottom edge of the fence at least six inches deep into the ground. This initial depth acts as a deterrent, as the rabbit encounters the mesh immediately upon beginning to dig.
For maximum security, the buried portion of the fence should be bent outward, away from the garden, in an “L” shape, extending another six inches horizontally. When a rabbit attempts to dig near the fence, they will quickly encounter this outward-facing horizontal section of mesh, discouraging further burrowing. This buried, flared section completes the secure enclosure, preventing the rabbit from jumping over or digging under the protective barrier.