Wild brown rabbits, such as the Eastern cottontail and European rabbit, are primarily herbivores. Their foraging habits are adapted to extract nutrients from a variety of vegetation available in their environments. They consume a diverse array of plants, reflecting their ability to thrive in different landscapes.
Primary Dietary Components
Wild brown rabbits predominantly feed on herbaceous vegetation. Grasses form the largest portion of their diet, including types such as fescue, bluegrass, and orchard grass. They favor young, succulent leaves and shoots, which are more easily digestible and nutrient-rich.
Broad-leafed herbaceous plants, often referred to as forbs, also make up a substantial part of their diet. Common examples include clover, dandelions, ragweed, and plantains. This intake of fibrous plant material is important for maintaining their digestive health and ensures they obtain a wide spectrum of necessary vitamins and minerals.
Seasonal and Supplemental Foods
A wild brown rabbit’s diet changes with the seasons and the availability of different plants. In warmer months, they consume tender grasses, leaves, and herbs. When vegetation becomes scarce during winter, their diet shifts to include woody materials.
They commonly eat bark, twigs, and buds from shrubs and young trees. Examples include willow, apple, birch, and sumac. Occasionally, wild brown rabbits may also consume fruits, seeds, and vegetables found in their natural habitat, but these are a minor part of their overall intake.
Digestive Adaptations
Wild brown rabbits possess a specialized digestive system to process their fibrous diet. They are hindgut fermenters, meaning microbial fermentation of plant material occurs in their cecum, a large organ located at the junction of the small and large intestines. This process allows them to break down tough cellulose and extract nutrients.
Rabbits also engage in coprophagy, the re-ingestion of special fecal pellets called cecotropes. These soft, nutrient-rich pellets are produced after the first pass through the digestive system and contain vitamins and proteins not absorbed initially. By consuming cecotropes directly, rabbits can reabsorb these essential nutrients. Their teeth continuously grow, which helps them grind down the fibrous vegetation they consume.
Foods to Avoid and Human Interaction
Certain foods commonly found in human diets or gardens are harmful to wild brown rabbits. Avocado, for instance, contains persin, a compound toxic to rabbits that can cause breathing problems and heart failure. Chocolate is also highly toxic due to theobromine and caffeine content. Allium-type vegetables like onions, garlic, and chives can damage a rabbit’s red blood cells.
Processed human foods, sugary treats, corn, and certain leafy greens like iceberg lettuce provide minimal nutritional value and can cause digestive upset or other health issues. Feeding wild rabbits is discouraged as it can lead to dependency on human-provided food, disrupt their natural foraging instincts, and potentially expose them to unsuitable diets or diseases. Wild rabbits should forage naturally for their sustenance.