The Eastern Cottontail is the most widespread rabbit species in North America, frequently choosing suburban lawns for nesting due to convenient foraging and adequate camouflage. Their nesting season typically runs from early spring through early fall, making nests a concern for homeowners engaging in yard maintenance or those with curious pets. Finding a nest quickly is important because their hidden location makes them vulnerable to common outdoor activities.
Identifying the Nest’s Construction
A wild rabbit nest is a subtle depression created in the ground, making it easy to overlook. The female, known as a doe, scratches out a shallow cavity only about four to seven inches wide and deep. This nest is then lined with dry grass and other soft vegetation.
The most distinctive identifier of an active nest is the presence of rabbit fur, which the mother pulls from her belly to create a blanket. This gray or brownish fur insulates the young and is layered over the top to conceal the babies from predators. The construction blends seamlessly with the surrounding lawn or debris, often appearing as a small, loose patch of dead grass.
Where to Search in Your Yard
Rabbits select nesting spots offering a balance of accessibility and protection, favoring locations that provide immediate cover. The nest is typically situated where the grass is slightly taller, or where landscaping offers a visual barrier. Homeowners should focus their search on the edges of the lawn, particularly near dense shrubs or thick hedges that provide overhead security.
Common places include along the foundation of a house, beside retaining walls, or under low-hanging deck skirts. The doe relies on the camouflage of disturbed ground and grass cover to hide her young, so look for small, circular areas of matted turf. Even the middle of an open lawn can be chosen if the grass is long enough to provide minimal concealment.
Determining If the Nest is Active
A common concern is whether a nest is still being used, as mother rabbits spend very little time with their young to avoid attracting predators. The doe generally visits the nest only twice within 24 hours, usually around dawn and dusk, to nurse her litter. This secretive behavior means seeing the mother near the nest is rare, and her absence does not indicate abandonment.
To confirm if the young are being fed, perform a simple cross-hatch test. Gently place two thin pieces of straw, string, or twigs over the nest opening in an “X” or grid pattern. Take a photograph and leave the area undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. If the string or twigs are noticeably displaced the following morning, it confirms the mother returned to feed the babies. If the cover remains untouched and the young appear cold or weak, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
Monitoring and Protecting the Rabbits
Once an active nest is confirmed, the priority is to create a safety zone around the area. Suspend all lawn mowing, weed trimming, and yard work within several feet of the nest. This physical buffer prevents accidental harm and reduces the chance of the mother being scared off during her brief feeding visits.
Keeping domestic pets, especially dogs, away from the nest is important, as they pose the greatest threat to the young. If pets must use the yard, they should be leashed or contained, or a laundry basket can be inverted over the nest during the day for temporary protection. If a cover is used, it must be removed every evening before dusk to ensure the mother can access the nest for nursing. Young cottontails develop rapidly, leaving the nest completely independent in two to three weeks. They are fully weaned and on their own when they are approximately the size of a softball, after which the danger period has passed.